Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing to Mark 20 Years, Honor Founding Board

SPRINGFIELD — The Loomis Communities’ annual spring reception will honor the founding board of directors of Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the senior living community on Thursday, May 21 at 4:30 p.m. at the retirement-community campus, 807 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

The founding board of directors will receive the Elvira Whiting Ball Award for outstanding service to older adults. The reception will honor retired Michael Daly, Bruce Dewey, Jack Dill, Dr. Richard Flynn, John Gallup, Barbara Jefferson, Ronn Johnson, George Kuselias, David Longworth, John Mailhot, Keith McLean-Shinaman, Anthony Mott, Dr. Jill Russell, Scott Stearns Jr., J. Michael Wallace, Dr. Stephen Wittenberg, and deceased members Carl Breyer, Dr. Randolph Bromery, and John Mann.

The community opened in 1995 on the east campus of Springfield College on Lake Massasoit, the result of a collaboration between its founders, Baystate Health and Springfield College. When established, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing became the first continuing-care retirement community in Springfield with independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all on the same campus and under one roof.

According to David Scruggs, CEO of the Loomis Communities, “the establishment of the community 20 years ago was the result of a vision shared by leadership from Baystate Health and Springfield College, who were intent on building a first-of-its-kind retirement community in Springfield. There is no better way to honor these founders than with the Elvira Whiting Ball award, named after another visionary leader who, over 100 years ago, with a group of Holyoke women, established the first Loomis community to provide older adults a place to live ‘exempt from strife.’”

The award is presented annually to an individual or group for outstanding service to older adults who personify the spirit of Loomis’ founding leader.

The reception is open to the public. Tickets to the event are $35, with proceeds to benefit the nursing centers at Loomis House in Holyoke and Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. Reservations can be made by calling Carol Constant, director of community engagement, at (413) 532-5325.

The spring reception sponsors include benefactor sponsors Mountain View Landscapes and Peoples Bank; sustaining sponsors Goss & McLain Insurance and Health New England; patron sponsors Lyon & Fitzpatrick and Smith Brothers Insurance; and platinum sponsors Easthampton Savings Bank, Holyoke Medical Center, O’Connell Care at Home, Retirement Dynamics, and Specialized Construction.