Memories, friendships created through nature at Silver Memories
Amy Davidson
Pictured are some of Silver Memories little family in front showing off the beautiful flowers at the facility that is taken care of by the residents. Left to right is Jenny Borders-Environmental Supervisor, Timmy Beach, Doug Pyles, Nelda Singer, Marianna Wray, Marion “Rusty” Shearer-Environmental Technician, Bridgette Regenschied, Rose Harmon, Betty Melton, Brandie Faught, and Betty Palmer.
Silver Memories Health Care facility near Versailles has a beautiful patio for the public and their residents and the families to enjoy.
On Tuesday, September 18, Doug Pyle, of Louisville, who is a resident of Silver Memories, expressed the joy of the garden and flowers that he tends to every day. Doug told the Osgood Journal, “Never in my dreams did I plan to garden and grow flowers. This is great therapy and spiritual to me.”
Three years ago, Brandie Faught’s (resident of Silver Memories) nephew, Marshall and her son, Kyle Faught, built the planters for the garden, donating the soil and plants to get started. The garden now consists of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and cucumbers. Jenny Borders, Environmental Supervisor of the facility and Marion “Rusty” Shearer, Environmental Technician oversee the garden and flowers to help Doug and the residents make their garden a success. The produce is also used within the facility in the kitchen and is given away to those who want to enjoy fresh vegetables.
Chandler’s Lawn and Landscape Service donated the beautiful flowers that hang on the porch at the facility and take care of the lawn services for Silver Memories. Doug told the Osgood Journal, “I love it here. Most of my family is in Louisville, but this just feels like home. You are not just a number, you are like family. CNAs to nurses to the kitchen staff, everyone is just wonderful! Sharon (Woods) is very caring and goes out of her way to make sure we have what we need and takes care of us. Juila (Bodenberg), our activities director is fantastic.” Doug just loves the outdoors, especially being able to tend to the flowers and garden and treat them as his own. He gets to share with his resident friends, or as he calls them “his little family”.
The long-term facility started in 1971. It was later purchased by sisters-in-law, Flora Fraley and Phylis Fields in 1981, a 21-bed facility called Silver Bell. In 2001, Sharon Woods, daughter of Flora, took over the facility after Flora passed away. The facility changed its name and is known today as Silver Memories that is now a 29-bed facility.
Silver Memories continues to thrive with one of the longest covered porches located at 6996 US 421, Versailles, boasting its beautiful flowers and garden. While currently at full capacity, Silver Memories cherishes the residents and families that proactively choose the small facility to care for their loved ones in a “like home” fashion.
