Hawthorne Remembers Volume 23 December 2018 Number 7

www. hawthornehistorical.org

A Salute to Hawthorne’s Legends

The Hawthorne community’s successful senior life style has been developed over many years, thanks to legendary residents and organizations. These individuals and groups applied their special talents to serve the greater good with passion beyond the norm. We hope that you will enjoy reflecting on the contributions of these talented people and groups who have given so much to our community in so many varied ways. Governing Legends: Colonial Penn - who embraced the vision of a retirees need for a “good life” and spirited the development of Hawthorne at Leesburg. Amos Henley - Colonial Penn’s manager of Hawthorne’s building and operation. His devotion to our community was seen in his commitment to details.

Dan Gorden - A General Manager who steered the course of Hawthorne’s growth for 35 years. What a helmsman! Harry Gailbraith - An energetic resident leader in Hawthorne’s effort to become a cooper-ative. His organizational efforts were critical to Hawthorne’s success. Carl Curtis - A thoughtful resident leader who worked with Gailbraith to find a way to save Hawthorne’s community. He served as the 2nd HRCA President and initiated the green sheet publications.

Legends from p.1

HRCA’s 35 Presidents -Men and women who answered the call to leadership of our govern-ing board. They faced the needs of our community and helped it grow year after year.

Organizational Legends: AARP - A national and local service organiza-tion that influenced the development of Hawthorne as well as serving as a model leadership unit within the Hawthorne community. Our Chapter 1175 is an inspirational model.

Memorial Fund - The most giving organization within Hawthorne. They honored the memories of passed residents with financial gifts of beautiful gardens and the support of special projects that made life easier for seniors. Auction Heirs - A service organization that assists families at critical times with home possession sales then returns their earnings to benefit the residents of Hawthorne. Club Hawthorne - The backbone of our community that manages all the activities that Hawthorne residents have enjoyed for 44 years.

Historical Society- A Society dedicated to keeping the story of Hawthorne alive through written publications, celebratory events and the development of a museum and a historic web site for community use. Hawthorne Real Estate - The successful sales of Hawthorne homes have been a key factor in the financial contributions that keep the park financially stable. Emergency Medical Services - How many times has this team of well- trained men and women saved a life, nurtured the ill and calmed a crisis? Their presence brings comfort and security to everyone living here. Kitchen Club- Hundreds of meals have been planned, prepared and served for the pleasure of residents and their events by club members. Bon appetite!

Individual legends: Orlin Clark - A prized real estate salesman for Colonial Penn who chose to live in Hawthorne upon his retirement. Dr. Earl Kaufmann – The first Program Director who created the volunteer activity format for all Hawthorne residents to participate in and enjoy. Sandy Alexander - Program Coordinator for 22 years who worked with Club Hawthorne to keep activities functioning in a positive way. Ed Tobin - The music man, who directed the chorus with love and humor for years. Wes Johnson - A musician who trumpeted his skills as orchestra leader and chorus director many years.

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After 21 Years of Service, Hawthorne’s Historical Society Bids Farewell

Twenty-one years ago, a writing class turned its focus toward preserving the history of Hawthorne’s development and its residents. This group became Hawthorne’s Historical Society and has been a service to the community ever since. During the past two decades, the members have published Hawthorne Remembers, sponsored several historic community celebrations, offered educational programs, been the caretaker of the archives and established a Historic web site for the use of the community. The final project now completed is the updating of the museum displays. With few responses to our solicitation for new members, the Society will disband. The membership rejoices that it has been a viable service to Hawthorne for 21 years and has made significant contributions to the community. The issue you hold in your hands is our final publication.

Eunice Mosher- Pianist who accompanied Hawthorne’s music programs for many years. Phillis Pence- Her energy led to the park building 2 tennis courts in 1986 and a lively interest in the game. Linda Roddy - A powerful fund raiser who brought Pickle ball to the park. Gwen Black - Organ music filled our halls and became popular due to her talents and organization of Great Hall organ concerts. Al Leonard - His artistic talents were many and he generously shared those talents by teaching art to residents for two decades. Lois Weber - She turned paper into an art form eagerly teaching her quilling skills to residents for many years. George Wolf - Hawthorne’s “Mr. History”. He was the key in keeping the Hawthorne legend alive and support of Hawthorne Remembers. Kay Lewis - Originator of the Kay Lewis donation fund that benefits Hawthorne employees at Christmas time. What a great way to say” Thank you!” Volunteers too numerous to list – Leaders of Clubs, the Council, our Board of Directors and the many helpers at numerous functions. Our Pioneers - Residents (in 1982) who stepped up and raised the capital funds that allowed for the purchase of Hawthorne. Their efforts were amazing! Thank you from all of us who now enjoy Hawthorne living.

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A few comments on history:

We are not makers of history. We are made by

history. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.

Abraham Lincoln.

History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be

unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be

lived again. Maya Angelou.

The past changes a little every time we retell it.

Hilary Mantel

The most effective way to destroy people is to deny

and obliterate their own understanding of their

history. George Orwell

December 15, 1982

Thirty-six years ago, on the 15th day of

December, our residents purchased the

Hawthorne community for the price of $9.3

million dollars. The residents had paid up

front $8 million and Colonial Penn gave

$ 500,000 as start-up money leaving only a

mortgage of $800,000. That mortgage was

paid off in September of 1983, less than 12

months into the operation of our newly

organized Cooperative form of government.

Hawthorne has been debt free ever since.

This is the legend of our beginning as a

retirement community. One of which we are

justly proud.

On Sunday, March 7, 1999, Hawthorne

celebrated our 25th Founders Day. The

highlight of the day was the ribbon cutting

ceremony at the bridge as the parade

commenced followed by the ground-breaking

ceremony for two additional buildings – the

Woodcrafters Shop and our Multipurpose

building. These additions were built with

funds on hand from our reserves – no

borrowing or debt involved. These buildings

were open for business one year later.

Hawthorne was built around a section of

land that was not available when the initial

negotiations were made in early 1970's. Our

General Manager became aware that the

property was about to go on the market in the

spring of 2000. Our residents voted to

purchase this land on December 5, 2000. Our

objective in this purchase was to prevent any

unwelcome owners to operate in our back

yard.

These two major expenses were funded

from our reserves; today our reserves are

solid and we have these additional amenities.

Surely, we have managed the financial

operation of the community in a proper way.

The year 2024 will mark 50 years as a

retirement community. Let's plan now for a

grand celebration.

G. Wolf – Reporter

Contractor Ken Wagner, Dan Gorden, HRCA President Al Wiant, Dick Blount