BELLA VISTA — Originally from Magnolia, Howard Grooves found himself looking for a new place to live after his wife died seven years ago.
“We had no children, but I had a brother in Rogers who convinced me to look at some places in Northwest Arkansas,” said Grooves, 88. “On Christmas Eve in 2007, we drove around Bella Vista and I knew it was home.”
Grooves chose the independent-living portion of Concordia Retirement Community because of the family atmosphere, nice living quarters and the friendly staff.
He said his friends in Magnolia told him he’d be back within two weeks.
“I wouldn’t go back for anything - this is my home and I love it here,” he said.
Known around the community for his homemade peanut brittle, Grooves hosts doughnuts and coffee in the Concordia community room every Tuesday morning.
“We have a ton of activities we do here, but this is my way of helping newcomers get acquainted with everyone,” he said.
Grooves not only found a home within the Concordia community, but in Bella Vista as a whole, where he attends Village Baptist Church.
Howard Grooves enjoys his friends and activities as a resident of the independent-living portion of Concordia Retirement Community in Bella Vista.
“I love my friends there, I love my pastor, I love my Sunday School teacher - it really adds to the social life I already have here [at Concordia],” he said.
Grooves also plays a good bit of golf but is taking December off because of all the other activities going on at Concordia.
“I don’t have an ache in my body, so I stay active,” he said. “Concordia is great about keepingus busy - for example, we are going to see the Christmas lights this week.”
Grooves served in World War II, then went on to a 20-year career in retail. Because his father was a builder, he became a real estate agent and eventually a builder himself. He estimates that he built 100 homes in Magnolia.
Since moving to Bella Vista, one of his most exciting experiences was taking part in the Honor Flight program, which flies World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial. To be eligible, the veteran must not have previously seen the memorial.
“It was an amazing trip, but what was very surprising was the welcome we got when we returned,” Grooves said. “People were shaking my hand and cheering.”
Concordia offers both independent and assisted living in spacious apartments and townhouses.
Residents have access to an emergency call system that is monitored 24 hours, garden plots, a private dining room, religious services, home-cooked meals, a wellness building, a multipurpose room, a variety of activities and much more.
More information is available online at concordiaretirement.com or by calling (479) 855-3714.
Linda Woollett would be happy to provide a complimentary tour and lunch.
Business, Pages 12 on 12/28/2011