PLAINVILLE -- Opal Barb moved to the Rooks-Ellis County area in 1945 and has lived there ever since. And she doesn't want to go anywhere else as she ages, either. Barb, 92, will get to see that dream become reality.
County
commissioners, politicians and residents were on hand Saturday morning to
witness a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Redbud Village Estates, an
assisted living complex to be built just west of Redbud Village Court, a nursing
facility.About 75 people showed up for the event on a cool, brisk fall morning at Redbud Village, the umbrella organization for the campus that eventually will include an Alzeiheimer's unit and a heavycare unit.
One of those present Saturday was Barb, along with and her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Glenda Barb from Burkburnett, Texas. Barb decided to brave the chilly weather because she's excited about her first "brand new home."
"When you live here as long as I have, you feel comfortable here," said Barb, the first person to reserve one of the 12 units of the complex, which is scheduled to be completed next summer.
Barb has lived alone in her Plainville home since her husband, Herb, died in 1990. She said that while she is a spry 90-something and still drives her own car, a girl has to make plans for the future. "My doctor told me that I was doing fine, but if I was thinking about moving to (assisted living), I'd better check into it, that they were going to go like hotcakes," Barb said. "So I came home and contacted them."
Fontella
Fant, administrator of Redbud Village, invited Plainville native Jerry Moran,
now a U.S. Congressman, to participate in the groundbreaking for the $1.8
million facility. Moran, with shovel in hand, looked familiar -- except maybe
for the suit and tie -- to a lot of local residents who knew him as a youngster.Moran, the son of Ray and Madeline Moran, who both are in their 90s and still live in Plainville, worked as a handyman for Redbud Village Court, formerly the Rooks County Home, while in high school and college in the early 1970s.
"I painted that trim and those downspouts, several times," said Moran, R-Kan., pointing at the existing building. "I mowed and did outdoor yard work, took asbestos out of the ceiling, whatever needed to be done. The managers then were Joe and Marthella Brumbaugh, and they believed in hard work. It was really a good experience."
"Obviously, this is a good thing for Rooks County, and that's part of my
district," added Moran, who now lives in Hays. "But this is also good
for me personally, with my parents living here. Quality of healthcare is so
important, and this opportunity for an assisted living facility in Rooks County
is a great thing ... a way to create care for our seniors and jobs for our
younger people, too. Who better to care for our seniors then the people who know
and love them?"County residents obviously agree. Ten of the 12 units already have been spoken for. And Fant said she would be glad to start making a waiting list. One resident who won't have to worry about being on any waiting list is Barb. "It's been a wonderful life here," Barb said. "I'd hate to pull up roots and leave Plainville." Now, she won't have to.
Reporter Diane Gasper-O'Brien can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 126, or by e-mail at dobrien@dailynews.net.