Citizen of the World – Maria Bales
On any given day, you probably won’t find Maria Bales in her Kenwood apartment. The self-described “Hungarian Minnesotan and world traveler” makes a point to get out every day.
Kenwood Residents
The Importance of Life-Long Learning – David Johnson
David Johnson is an explorer. In retirement he became the president of the University of Minnesota’s Elder Learning Institute now (now Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI)
The Healing and Connecting Power of Music – Katherine Doepke
Everything about Katherine Doepke goes back to her love of music. Even the large, hooked rug in her living room, which she completed years ago, is musical. It has a structure, colors and tones, and is pleasing to the eye.
Active Activist – Mahmoud El-Kati
If you can’t find Mahmoud El-Kati in his apartment at the Kenwood Retirement Community, look in the library or the workout room. At age 86, Mahmoud continues to seek, and create knowledge and keep himself physically healthy. He is a long-time activist, teacher, lecturer, writer and commentator on the African American experience. Despite the continuing struggle of our country to face our history of slavery and racism, Mahmoud remains optimistic. He feels that “human beings can change their attitudes.”
Building Community through Lifelong Learning at the Kenwood
Ruth Anne Olson and Anthony Morley have been enjoying life at the Kenwood for 18 years. Anthony discovered the Kenwood when he took an OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) class on women poets. The couple had already been thinking of moving. They wanted to stay in the city and the location was walkable and on bus lines. Ruth Anne hadn’t lived in a high-rise for a long time, and she felt young again when she moved in.
Perennially Active – Sally Howard
Kenwood Retirement Community resident Sally Howard is a go-getter. She’s friendly, energetic, and a great listener. During the pandemic, when social isolation was the norm, an attentive housekeeper at The Kenwood noticed that Sally and another resident had the same painting, a scene from Puerto Vallarta in Sally’s beloved Mexico. The housekeeper asked Sally to pay a socially-distanced visit to the other home-bound resident. Sally was thrilled to be able to chat with a new friend.
Tilting at Windmills in a Lamborghini
Long-time Minneapolis developer Ray Harris moved into The Kenwood Retirement Community in January of 2020. After a fall, he spent a few months in the hospital and rehab, and returned to the Kenwood in March, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says he is “making the best of it” but he is doing more than that.