Written By Monica Parker
As old as the city itself, is the origin story for Riverside Senior Living. This community is a shining star that sits just off the banks of Decatur’s oldest landmark. It was in 1817, a ferry crossing stretching the span of the Tennessee River, that Rhodes Ferry Landing was born. But of course, it was Commodore Stephen Decatur for which our beloved city is now named.
In 1923, the building which still stands at 210 Wilson Street, Northeast, the city’s first school, Riverside High, was built. For forty-eight years, this sentinel served to house both a high school and an elementary school. Nowadays, the former school building houses some of its students.
In 2008, Decatur native, Ms. June Hall purchased the site in a joint venture with her now late husband, Steven Hall, transforming the place into what many now call home. Riverside Senior Living boasts a ninety apartment retirement community with forty-three of those apartments being located in the old school building.
Just as the halls were once filled with the city’s youngsters, the building still sings with the laughter of those who are still young at heart. Free of the hassles of home ownership, residents enjoy leisure time to its fullest with friends. Then, when extra care is needed, at whatever the stage, the nurses and staff of Decatur Home Care continue to extend your independence, while providing the best quality of life, for the rest of your life.
When speaking recently to a resident about Riverside, Ms. Joyce had the following to say. “I had absolutely no problem deciding where to spend my senior years.” You see, Ms. Joyce was a Decatur resident that moved to North Carolina to be closer to family after her husband passed. When thinking back to living alone there, without any activities or people to talk to, she said, “that’s not how I want to spend the rest of my life” and “I knew immediately where I wanted to come; Riverside is where I wanted to live.” And living is exactly what she’s doing. Joyce can be seen in town, at Walmart, at church, exercise class, or staying in, playing bingo, working on a puzzle, or sitting out on “her patio” as she calls one of the outdoor seating areas, reading a book.
This writer asked two other residents, Ms. Donna Graham (77) and Ms. Gina Sharra (60), to share their thoughts about Riverside. The two ladies, mother and daughter, moved to Riverside together in May of last year. One said almost immediately, “I love the atmosphere.” They spoke of their love for the choices they were given. “There are so many things to choose whether to do or not do”, feeling freedom in the choice to do as they pleased. Gina also spoke of the convenience of only having one bill each month, that all their expenses were combined into. No more hassle with monthly budgeting to cover everything; one price, one check, that’s it.
No gathering of residents would be complete without resident author, Mr. Hollis Arban (86), who can always be found looking for a game of checkers with one of “the fellas,” as he calls them. Mr. Arban’s charming personality has helped him make fast friends with many others at Riverside. There are great tales to hear when “the fellas” are gathered together sharing stories. You may hear Mr. Hollis recount his days at NASA, a story from the classroom while teaching, or even a tidbit about one of the books he’s written. Yes, they can be found for sale on Amazon.
One never knows the person they may encounter when they become a resident of the community. But one thing is certain, Riverside will always be more of a family than simply a place to live.
