Willow Brook Christian Communities

 A few lines from Linda Raber, Activites Director of Passages at Willow Brook Christian Village .
      How much puppy love can our residents handle? Well, there’s Slippers, the dachshund, who has been entertaining us for several years. Then there’s Sam, the golden retriever, a certified therapy dog who’s been visiting weekly, eager to share his warmth and love with our residents. Now there’s Holly, the new pup on the block. Holly is a 13 week-old, maltese puppy who regularly comes to work with me. Her adorable little face, playfulness and enjoyment of naps on laps have won the affection of both residents and staff. 
      Dogs are used to help people all over the world. Guarding flocks, search and rescue, leading the blind and assisting the physically challenged are just a few of the ways our canine friends have been helping us throughout the years. Though the bond between dog and man dates back to early history, it wasn’t until more recent years that a correlation was acknowledged between this bond and the emotional health of humans. 
      Every time a furry friend comes to visit, our residents’ faces light up. They can’t wait to pet them and love on them. The dogs seem to feel the same way. So, how much puppy love can our residents handle? Just ask them. My guess is, they’ll say the more the merrier!

     Each month I meet for lunch with Willow Brook’s 42 staff leaders. These are the executive directors, managers, department heads, and others who lead this great Willow Brook ministry. They hail from all three Willow Brooks, and we rotate the luncheon locations among the three communities.
     We eat really well on those days, for we are the beneficiaries of an ongoing “battle of the chefs.” Our culinary teams delight in delivering to our tables scrumptious vittles each month. These savory luncheons are a well deserved perk for my hard-working team.
     At one of our recent gatherings, as we were feasting and before I jumped into the day’s agenda, I scanned the room. I looked with pride at all the beautiful people who have joined my team. They are good people, with ethics and values, and the highest motives.
     As I looked from table to table, I saw people who demonstrate each day a deep and abiding commitment to Willow Brook and the people we serve. Unless there is some activity under the radar, I am not aware of a single leader who is reading the help wanted ads. To a person, I believe there is long-term if not life-long commitment to Willow Brook.
     This makes for stable leadership. On every front, we have leaders who are dedicated to making it all happen. No wonder Willow Brook is doing so well.
     I hope you are having a good winter. Cherish these frigid days, for each is an immeasurable gift. Daffodils and tulips will be popping up soon enough.

With love to all,

Larry Harris, CEO

A tutoring arrangement has been forged between the residents of Willow Brook’s Delaware campuses (Delaware Run and the Village) with Schultz Elementary School. Tutors from Delaware Run include Belvadell Sindlinger, Jim Roesch, George and Lynn Ankney, Cal and Dottie Knight, Frank Kender, Henry and Janice Hoversten, and Rosie Happensack. Not quite sure who enjoys it more—the tutors or the students. I’ve heard it said that it is a very rewarding experience and they all have a BLAST!

Willow Brook residents Bob & Lois Johnson, scions of the Johnson family of jewelers who bring the Diamond Cellars stores to Columbus brought their neighbors a special gift this past Christmas.  It was the opportunity to view three incredible ornaments designed and created by Bob and their son Jeff as Christmas gifts for Lois.  We were awestruck by the intricate detail and, contradictory as pieces made of gold and precious gems may sound the quiet beauty of the pieces on display.

The nativity scene

Each figure – the baby Jesus in his cradle, Mary praying, Joseph with his staff, a shepherd boy holding a lamb, and another lamb standing beside him - was first carved into wax and then individually cast in 14 carat yellow gold.  It was then finished to give the minute details – from facial features and the drape of the clothing to the texture of the hair.  Beside the manger, in an opened chest, is a 1.14 carat, flawless diamond.

The outer area of the ornament is made of spun 14 carat yellow gold wire with the nativity scene sitting inside.  At the top of the ornament, representing the Star of Bethlehem, is a 5.05 carat round, brilliant diamond surrounded by 13 smaller round brilliant diamonds with rays of 14 carat white gold extending into the scene below.

The ornament is about four inches wide and seven and a half inches tall.  It is now part of the family’s personal jewelry collection and will never be sold.

The Christmas Tree

The nativity scene Christmas ornament designed by Jeff and Bob Johnson was such a huge hit in 1982 that in 1984 they designed and handcrafted a Christmas tree.  It is so heavily detailed that it required 1100 hours of work from start to finish.

The 8.5-inch tall 14k yellow and green gold tree was made similar to how an artificial tree is constructed:  each limb was cast in green gold and then individually attached to the trunk.  The needles of the tree’s limbs and the limbs themselves cross and bend just as they would in nature.

A garland of 516 seed pearls wraps around the tree and the ornaments are made of 14k yellow gold set with a variety of gemstones, diamonds and pearls.  There are even small, golden candy canes hanging from the garland, and small 14k white and yellow gold candles sitting upon the branches.  Each close look reveals another hidden treasure in the limbs.

The tree topper is magnificent, with a 14k white gold star set with a five-carat round brilliant center diamond and five smaller round brilliant diamonds set at each point of the star.

Below the tree, what looks like draped fabric is highly-polished 14k yellow gold.  Sitting on top of the gold “fabric” is a sled with twisted 14k wire for the roping, an unopened gift box made of 14k yellow gold with 14k white gold ribbon and bow.  A taller, opened gift box with the beribboned lid sitting beside it display a diamond solitaire engagement ring inside.

The Christmas tree and the nativity scene ornament were both displayed at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in 1984.

The Wreath

Wanting to do a final piece following the Christmas theme, designers and craftsmen Bob and Jeff Johnson decided in 1986 to handcraft a 14k green and white gold wreath.  This design took a thousand hours of time to complete.  The wreath is approximately 8.5 inches in diameter and has 133 individually die-struck 14k green gold holly leaves standing from their stems above a circular gold base.

Representing the holly berries are 28 round reddish-orange carnelian beads.The leaves of the wreath are a beautiful frame for the focal point of the piece, a candle rising from the center bottom with a sparkling ribbon flowing from the bow.  The candle is made of 14k white gold with a matte finish and shows the candle “wax” dripping down its side.
Representing the candle flame is a gemstone specifically located and cut for this purpose:  a 5.50 carat caramel-colored African tourmaline.  It was cut to resemble the dancing flame of a candle as you look at it from different angles.  The bow is made of 14k white gold and contains 378 round brilliant diamonds with a total weight of approximately 26.5 carats.