Hillside is a Nonprofit Senior Living Life Plan Community in McMinnville, Oregon

Marcia

Feeding Souls With Music

For Marcia, music has played a significant part in her life since she was a young child. She has studied piano since she was 7 years old and has made her life's work as a professional pianist and organist.

“There are so many talented musicians and singers who live at Hillside, so it’s meaningful to me when we can come together and share our beautiful music with the entire community,” Marcia says.

Helping to plan the community’s annual performances, including the holiday concert and spring concert, gives Marcia great pleasure. She also orchestrates smaller groups of musicians to perform throughout the year.

Marcia also gives piano lessons to people of all ages on her Steinway grand piano that sits in the living room overlooking one of the community meadows. “There is so much beauty that surrounds our cottage, so it is truly a perfect place to teach others how to play this magnificent instrument.”

Additionally, she is stretching her musical skills as a member of the community's Strummer’s Music Group, which is made up of guitarists, ukulele players and autoharp players. “I always wanted to learn how to play guitar but decided to learn how to play the ukulele, which has been great fun!”

When Marcia is not strumming the ukulele or tickling the ivories, she is serving as chairperson for the music committee. In her role, she oversees all the music activities in the community.

“Music is truly the universal language and brings joy and happiness to everyone around me," she says. "I am grateful that I can use my talents to give back and serve others here at Hillside and in the greater McMinnville community. I truly believe this is why I am here.”

Rod

Fine Wine, Friendships and Fixer of All Things

When Rod and his wife, Leila, moved to Hillside, they quickly became enamored with the greater community of McMinnville. “I have worked at various wine-tasting rooms in Sonoma County, so it’s been exciting to explore the wineries McMinnville and the surrounding area have to offer.”

Rod is a member of one of Hillside’s social wine groups and was instrumental in planning the first wine and food pairing for club members and other residents. He worked alongside Hillside’s director of community life, dining directors and another resident to plan the event, which received rave reviews.

“I recommended we bring in wine from the local award-winning Chris James Cellars winery, and the dining team prepared all the food pairings. This was a wonderful example of how residents and team members can lean on each other’s talents and passions and pull off a successful event for everyone to enjoy. I am excited to say another wine- and food-tasting event is in the works!”

When Rod isn’t enjoying a glass of wine or learning about the latest grape varietal, he is in the woodworking shop creating wooden utensils and charcuterie boards. He is the chair of the woodworking committee and is affectionately known around campus as the “fix-it guy.” Rod enjoys refinishing and refurbishing furniture for residents and helping the buildings and grounds committee with smaller projects around campus.

Living at Hillside has given Rod the freedom to explore his passions and use his talents for good. He’s even thinking about applying for a job at one of the tasting rooms on Third Street. Get to know Rod — you never know when you will need a delicious glass of wine or a beautiful charcuterie board for your next gathering.

Cheers!

Jim and Eileen

Finding Camaraderie, Connection and Community

When Jim and Eileen made the decision to move to Hillside they were a bit apprehensive because they were leaving behind lifelong friendships. But what they found at Hillside was surprisingly unexpected: a community filled with kindred spirits and boundless opportunities to build upon their talents and desire to serve others.

“We were truly amazed by how much we had in common with the other residents and how welcoming and friendly everyone was here,” Jim says. “It didn’t take us long to create new friendships and start enjoying the Hillside lifestyle.”

Jim happily serves on the Woodshop Committee and spends a lot of time in the on-campus woodshop where he creates vases and bowls using a technique called segmented woodturning. His pieces are often displayed in the community as well as in a few of the greater McMinnville shops. Eileen has always had a love for creating quilts so was thrilled that there was a designated quilting studio on campus. But along the way, she picked up a new talent—playing the ukulele. “I play piano and guitar, so I thought it would be fun to learn a new instrument. Playing the ukulele is so enjoyable and I love playing in the on-campus Strummers Music Group,” Eileen shares. “It’s been another meaningful creative outlet for me to enjoy.”

When Jim and Eileen aren’t taking time to enjoy their respective hobbies, they are volunteering their time and energy on several committees at Hillside. They served two years as Co-Vice Presidents of the Residents Association, and Eileen served two years as President. Eileen chairs the Housekeeping Committee and serves on the Hospitality Committee, which makes sure that every new resident feels welcomed when they move into the community.

Jim is the president of the Hillside Foundation and was the former chair of the Environmental Services Committee. He also serves on the Hospitality Committee alongside Eileen and is part of the Beautification Team, which works with Hillside maintenance to do smaller jobs, ensuring that the campus remains beautiful.

“Our committee has helped to repair benches and paint light poles, mailboxes, and curb numbers,” says Jim. “These are all small tasks, but it gives my life purpose to help and serve others. It is one thing to just live here, but it’s another thing to feel like you are contributing to the greater good of the community. Eileen and I are doing just that through our volunteering, and it feels great to give back!”

Erin

Finding Freedom to Work, Play and Give Back

Oregon has always had a special place in Erin’s heart. So, when her desired residence became available at Hillside, Erin decided the time was right to move to the community with her sister, Denise.

“Our mother lived at Hillside, so we were very familiar with the community and over the years really fell in love with everything it had to offer,” Erin says. “She’d be thrilled to know that my sister and I are living together after all these years. It’s been nice to reconnect with her and share this part of our lives together.”

When Erin moved, she left her job as a research librarian at a law firm but knew that she still wanted to work part-time. After some searching, she landed a remote job as a digital researcher for ABC News in New York.

“Going part-time and doing research remotely for a national news outlet is a dream come true for me,” shares Erin. “It frees me up to get involved at Hillside and also have some time to do what I love to do which is read historical fiction novels, walk the nearby trails and spend time with family and friends.”

Erin started to volunteer for the Hillside Residents Association and now serves as the president. The mission of the Residents Association is to represent the residents and the various clubs and committees that are offered at Hillside.

Erin added, “It’s important to me that residents have a voice at Hillside, so we serve as the liaison between the residents and the community management. I would never have thought that I would be leading the Residents Association, but I have learned to never say never at Hillside. Moving here has given me the opportunity to experience new things that have pushed me out of my comfort zone and have given me great joy.”

Erin is reminded of the time she decided to participate in a Paint and Sip class offered at the community. “Frankly, I was nervous about it as I never thought of myself as an artist. However, by the end of the class I had painted a piece that I was proud of and, more importantly, I had fun!”

She is looking forward to the day when she can do even more at Hillside, but for now there is research to be done for a breaking news story.

“The news never sleeps!”