On Friday, August 26^th Rockhaven celebrated our 50^th Anniversary at our annual picnic.  We had the usual delicious food: chicken, ribs, hot dogs, brats and burgers grilled by Carl.  The side dishes were provided by guests.  This year we also had a decorated cake that matched our invitation.  Unlike last year, the weather was comfortable, and it only rained before the party.

For the celebration, Mel Johnson, a past president of the Rockhaven Board and current resident gave us some history of how Rockhaven got its start.  Barbara Entress, also a resident and the Administrator here for over half Rockhaven’s existence, added some more interesting bits of history.

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For the past 4 months or so, we have been spotting a fox in our neighborhood. One neighbor three blocks away even set up a traffic cone with a fox crossing sign. Residents have reported seeing him or her at Rockhaven. But on June 12, our gardener and his wife took a video of the fox, who seemed unfazed when spotted and wandered away behind the Administration House. Rockhaven, along with neighboring backyards and wooded areas appear to be part of the territory for the fox, but there may be more than one furry friend.

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Welcoming Spring here at Rockhaven!

This year we have many projects planned. We will be replacing an old wood and mesh fence with a black metal one, we will rebuild a portion of a stone retaining wall, and we will replace original front door and decorative garage lights with a uniform style and color. It should harmonize the look of the property.

Next year we will continue our gutter replacement project that we started last year, as we have already changed out more gutters this year.

And there’s more…

We are planning to have a welcoming picnic this year. Due to obvious reasons, the picnics during the past two years have been primarily for residents and Board only. We expect this year to include family and friends.

Rockhaven provides the grilled meats, condiments, corn on the cob, and drinks. Our residents and guests provide the sides and desserts. The date has not been confirmed, but it will be in August. We will keep you posted!!

Message from the Executive Director

After a relatively mild winter, we thought spring had finally arrived. Now the temperature has dipped back down. I have had to shoo some small birds out of a broken street lamp before they could build a nest. There are blooming daffodils in front of the

Administration House, and soon we are expecting yellow, purple, white, and a variety of pink tulips to appear. Although a bumpy start, spring will be arriving soon.

And, I want to express gratitude for the strong team of Board members who bless Rockhaven. We have two members with human resource backgrounds, one with a law degree, one who is a licensed architect, two with broad gardening experience, one who has a banking background, and one who has longevity, having been on our Board for 20 years this coming December. Each one brings expertise and, more importantly, strong metaphysical support. Thank you all!

Andrea

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We have been surrounded by starlings as they spend a couple weeks if not longer as a regular stop on their migration. Starlings are renowned for their synchronized flying. In large groups they fly closely and bob, weave, twist and turn as a single body. They are mesmerizing to watch.

I just learned that starlings are related to the myna bird and mimic other bird calls and sounds they hear. What is obvious is that they love to hear themselves talk and that they all talk at once. When you walk out the door here, you hear a cacophony of what sounds like chatter. And then, in an instant, it stops – as they as a group, take flight.

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It reminds us of the beautiful poem titled “Love”, written by Mary Baker Eddy, a favorite hymn to sing!

Love

Brood o’er us with Thy shelt’ring wing,
‘Neath which our spirits blend
Like brother birds, that soar and sing,
And on the same branch bend.
The arrow that doth wound the dove
Darts not from those who watch and love.

If thou the bending reed wouldst break
By thought or word unkind,
Pray that his spirit you partake,
Who loved and healed mankind:
Seek holy thoughts and heavenly strain,
That make men one in love remain.

Learn, too, that wisdom’s rod is given
For faith to kiss, and know;
That greetings glorious from high heaven,
Whence joys supernal flow,
Come from that Love, divinely near,
Which chastens pride and earth-born fear,

Through God, who gave that word of might
Which swelled creation’s lay:
“Let there be light, and there was light.”
What chased the clouds away?
‘Twas Love whose finger traced aloud
A bow of promise on the cloud.

Thou to whose power our hope we give,
Free us from human strife.
Fed by Thy love divine we live,
For Love alone is Life;
And life most sweet, as heart to heart
Speaks kindly when we meet and part.

(Poems, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 6:0–8:0)

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It has been spotted as early as 8 am and as late as 4 pm. Great blue herons are quite large birds, up to 4 ft.  It has a slow, measured walk and a decided squawk if it gets spooked and flies away. In flight it is quite impressive.

Our residents enjoy observing this wild visitor, and all the other bird species we host.

Click here to view our currently available apartments for rent!

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