Willard Scott, weatherman and host of the 100th birthday salutes for NBC’s Today Show, will host the Heron Cove at Sanders community preview day next Saturday, Dec. 8.
Heron Cove will be open to the community from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tours, to meet Scott and to learn more about Riverside’s innovative style of caring for older adults, according to Stephanie Heinatz, spokesperson for Sanders.
Located off Main Street in Gloucester, Heron Cove at Riverside Sanders Retirement Community replaces a more than 50-year-old nursing home, marking the opening of the first residence of its kind for older adults in Virginia, Heinatz said.
As part of the new facility, the nursing home institution is replaced with two authentic homes where residents receive both a high level of quality clinical care and in a highly residential setting, she added.
According to Heinatz, both houses in Heron Cove are designed like traditional homes and feature private bedrooms and bathrooms and open dining and living areas. At the heart of each home sits a family-style kitchen that’s resident-friendly and meant to bring every aspect of home life to the forefront of daily living.
“Most importantly, these homes support the lifestyles and choices of our residents,” said Rudy Heinatz, executive director of Riverside Sanders Retirement Community, adding that the residents will move into their new homes at Heron Cove in January.
Both homes in Heron Cove can accommodate up to 20 residents. One home will provide long-term nursing care and one will provide short-term rehabilitation.
Riverside broke ground on Heron Cove in November 2011. Sanders Retirement Community, one of Riverside’s three continuing care retirement communities, includes assisted living apartments and independent living cottages. Both remain part of the campus.
For more information, visit sandersliving.com.
About Willard Scott
Scott first appeared on the Today Show program in March 1980 as weatherman. In addition to his current duties as substitute weather reporter, he appears on the program on Tuesdays and Thursdays with his popular 100th-birthday salutes.
Scott’s travels with the Today Show have taken him throughout Europe aboard the Orient Express; to China; to Australia; to South America; on a cruise ship along the Eastern Seaboard; to Rome during Holy Week; Hawaii; and to the heartland of America on the “Today Express.”
In addition to his many weather telecasts from state fairs, fundraising events, parades and civic events across the country, Scott co-anchored coverage of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1987-97, and traditionally appeared as Santa Claus at White House events for children.
Scott has been named both Distinguished Virginian by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (1990) and Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine (1979). He also received the Great American Award from the Bards of Bohemia in New Orleans (1990) and was named Humanitarian in Residence by the National Society of Fund Raisers (1985). In 1985, he was recognized by President Ronald Reagan with the Private Sector Award for Public Service.
Scott is the author of six books and is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C.
Scott’s visit is sponsored by Remedi SeniorCare, Spain Commercial and Clinical Resources, LLC.