[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1951]]


           RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHERWOOD OAKS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JASON ALTMIRE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th 
anniversary of Sherwood Oaks, a nonprofit continuing care retirement 
community located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.
  This Silver Anniversary is not only noteworthy in itself, but the 
story behind Sherwood Oaks is quite extraordinary. Sherwood Oaks was 
created by a handful of unpaid ``ordinary'' Pittsburgh-area seniors 
who, in seeking a community in which they themselves wanted to live, 
turned a farmers' field into what has since evolved into a vibrant 
senior living community of some 400 residents.
  These determined and ambitious dreamers--Sally Dewees, Martha 
Leonard, Jane T. Locke and Margaret McCoy--did their homework by 
researching communities in the area and around the country, and, in 
order to make their vision a reality, enthusiastically spread their 
ideas within the community.
  On September 1, 1982, the founders and the construction board--Norman 
and Sally Dewees; Frank and Betty Hess; Jean and Craig Stockdale; 
Dorothy Van der Vort; and Richard McCoy--realized the fruits of their 
labor when Sherwood Oaks officially opened its doors to its original 53 
residents.
  I want to thank Paul Winkler, the president and CEO of Presbyterian 
SeniorCare for bringing this story to my attention. Paul serves as the 
board chair of PANPHA, an association of some 360 nonprofit senior 
service providers throughout Pennsylvania, and I have asked him to 
convey my best wishes to the Sherwood Oaks community when he represents 
PANPHA at a celebratory event scheduled for Friday, September 28.

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