Dining is An Adventure at Beacon Hill

When we moved into Beacon Hill at Eastgate, now more than four years ago, we discovered that our eyes, mouths, and yes, stomachs, were in the hands of Beacon Hill's highly experienced chef, Tim England. Tim cares very deeply about creating a warm and welcoming dining environment. His staff of mostly young servers are well trained and give us personal attention. 

Each evening we choose from a menu of at least five different entrees and eat in one of three lovely dining rooms.  While residents often admit to not knowing the meaning of some of the words on the menu, we soon learn to trust the chef's choice of sauces and presentation of the food. Dinner is something we look forward to both with the food choices and the friendships we make there. We often are seated with people who are new to us and find that to be a great way to get acquainted. 

As Beacon Hill expands there will be another dining room added in order to accommodate the increased number of residents.  Tim is pictured above, standing next to an artist's rendering of the new dining room.

First Glimpse at Beacon Hill's Expansion Plans

I'm reactivating my Granna's Apartment Blog in order to document the expansion of Beacon Hill at Eastgate as it occurs.  Excitement is growing as we, the current residents, learn that nearly 100 individuals and couples have put their names on the VIP list of those who hope to move in when the addition is completed in the fall of 2016.

The plan is to add a new wing at the back of the present building.  The new wing will house four floors of luxury apartments, both one bedroom and two bedrooms.  The expansion will also include an additional dining room next to the present dining rooms as well as a garden cafe and auditorium at the rear of the lot.

The artist's drawing above shows the new four story addition with the cafe and auditorium in the background. If you have visited Beacon Hill at Eastgate you can see that the design is planned to reflect the beauty and comfort of the present facility.

I'll be sharing more of the plans and photos in the future.  I hope you will follow my blog and tell anyone who might be interested about it as well.

It's the Growing Season, So Watch Us Grow

It's been a long time since I have posted to my blog.  I hope you are still out there, dear reader, because I have some news about Beacon Hill at Eastgate.  I also hope some new readers will find their way to my blog, especially if they are considering the life-changing and life-enhancing move to a facility like Beacon Hill.

Earlier this week there was an assembly of all the residents here at Beacon Hill and we were the first to learn that Beacon Hill at Eastgate will be expanding.  Yes, due to demand for the high quality services which we receive at this Continuing Care Retirement Center (CCRC), plans are being made to add 60 apartments and other amenities to the present 114 apartment complex.  While we as present residents have lots of questions, we know from past experience that the new addition will be of the same quality that we have experience,and that includes the food!

Of course it will take time to get all the details in place, but as I learn of them, I'll be keeping you posted and even include photos of the construction as it takes place.  I encourage you to sign up for my blog and promise that I won't overwhelm your computer with too many postings.

Beacon Hill witnesses the Royal Wedding!

Would you believe? I was invited to witness the Royal Wedding! Well, not exactly in London, but on the telly in Beacon Hill at Eastgate. Nola Watherbee, a self acknowledged follower of English Royals, invited all the women from Beacon Hill to a wedding breakfast, followed by a delayed viewing of the BBC filming of the event.

So, I tied a scarf on my summer straw hat, put on the pearls that Stan gave me for our wedding, and went to the party this morning. Here I am with the wedding cake which our chef created for the event. We are hoping that he will serve it to us as dessert at this evening's dinner.

Another WZZM 13 video

Here's another video that was seen on WZZM 13 in the Grand Rapids area. I'm actually going to try embedding it into my blog on my own!!!! Peggy is sitting next to me in case I need help (and I did).

WZZM Interviews Beacon Hill's Chef

I'm out in Seattle visiting my daughter, who found this video about our chef and she's teaching me how to embed it in my blog. Better enjoy it when you read my blog today, because I may not remember how to do this when I return to Grand Rapids.

Keeping Up With the News of the World

Is it just our age, or have we always been interested in the news of the world? As we age, we worry about the future for our children and grandchildren. Life seems to be more complex and full of dangers.

At any rate, 23 residents of Beacon Hill gathered last Saturday morning for an informal discussion of current events. Of course we wanted to talk about Egypt, but other issues came up as well. There was a lot of energy for what was an honest and open conversation.

Everyone was appreciative of the opportunity to get together for discussion of serious issues and we decided to meet every Saturday morning to do this. Life at Beacon Hill at Eastgate is full of opportunities. We're happy we made the decision to live here.