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Resident at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller 1 Spa day

A spa day for seniors! Residents at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller have been practicing social distancing, so caregivers brought the spa to them. Since many residents have been missing their normal hair and nail appointments, "spa day" was a huge hit. 

Typically, a hairdresser visits the community weekly to help residents with cuts, colors and styles. With social distancing, she's been unable to visit. So caregivers and staff members took on the roles of stylists and nail artists. They got out the curling irons and made residents feel like they'd just been to the salon. Staff members also had plenty of nail colors to choose from. The only thing missing was cuts and colors, they decided that was best left to the professionals! 

"For many of our residents, getting their hair done is the highlight of their week. We're so happy that spa day was huge a success and brought back that same joy," said Melissa Meyer, Mustang Creek Estates of Keller's executive director. "I'm so proud of how our caregivers and staff continue to take these changes in stride and come up with creative ideas for our community."

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March is all about basketball. But for Mustang Creek Estates of Keller resident Marv Sanders, most of his life has been about basketball. He is one of the winning-est high school basketball coaches in the country and holds four state titles. He’s also been inducted into multiple sports halls of fame, including the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Sanders had the privilege of celebrating over 800 wins as a high school basketball coach.

Sanders grew up in Indiana, a breeding ground for basketball talent. He went on to play at Valparaiso University and after his freshman year transferred to Western New Mexico University. After first returning to Indiana to coach, he missed the warm weather and went back to New Mexico, making it his home and going on to coach four championship teams at three high schools. While Sanders could make champions, he also prided himself on making good people. He constantly set a high example for his athletes.

“Being a coach means you really had to be thoughtful. I loved the challenge of the game and being a part of those kids’ lives,” said Sanders. “Beyond being a good coach, I really wanted to set a strong example for my players.”

Today Sanders lives in Keller, Texas, to be near his son Mike, who he had the privilege of coaching at Farmington High School and who also went on to play college basketball. According to Mike Sanders, his dad could make any team great because he coached the talent on the court and adjusted his winning formula for each team. The father-son duo also had the privilege of winning a state title together in 1982.

“For my dad, it was the first time he felt more like a father than a coach while on the court. The game came down to two free throws, and I was the one on the line,” said Mike Sanders. “With just five seconds on the clock, I sunk them both.”

“I wanted so much in that moment to just hug Mike. I knew the pressure he was under, and leading up to that winning shot, I knew how missing it would affect him. Once he made the shot, it was such a wonderful feeling,” said Sanders. “I knew I’d created a spark in Mike.”

Sanders also remains very close to other players he coached in the past. His first team to win a state championship has even held reunions including their beloved coach. Hatch Valley High School won the title in 1964 with a young Coach Sanders in charge. Danny Martinez played on that team and remembers the strong work ethic of his coach.

“Coach Sanders is the kind of person you wanted to be. In high school, I looked up to him, and I know my teammates did as well. He motivated us to work together and willed us to win,” said Martinez. “He’s the type of man everyone admires and respects, and it was a privilege to be on his team.” 

The team got together for their 50- and 55-year reunions. Former teammates traveled from across the country to get together and celebrate their legacy as the first basketball state champions at Hatch Valley High School. Coach Sanders was in attendance for both reunions. Today, many former players continue to be in touch with their old coach.

Sanders’ love for the game and reputation as a great coach continues to live on in New Mexico. The Marv Sanders Invitational, a basketball tournament held annually in Farmington, honors his impact on basketball in the state.

While Sanders’ memory is not as strong as it once was, his love of the game remains unchanged. He still talks vibrantly about his memories as a coach and the players he made an impact on. And you can bet he’ll be watching some of this year’s March Madness games.

“We are so honored to be surrounded by outstanding individuals like Marv. His love and passion for basketball is clear to everyone who meets him,” said Melissa Meyer, executive director at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. “It’s inspiring to think about the many lives he touched through basketball, and we love that he’s able to stay in touch with many of his players.”

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This Veterans Day, Mustang Creek Estates of Keller, a senior living community, honored all veterans living and working at the community with a trip back in time. A display served as a museum of each resident’s time serving our country. Afterwards, the community held a reception to recognize and honor veterans from all branches of the military for their efforts in protecting our nation.  

Glen Thompson was just one of the veterans honored. The 86-year-old was drafted to the Army in 1951. While he knows his mother cried at the news, she was very proud of her son. After serving for two years, Thompson reenlisted – this time with the Air Force – where he would serve as an air traffic controller until retiring in 1977. Along with being good at the job, he also loved it, and he proudly states he looked much better in Air Force blue than green.

“The Air Force was willing to take me and teach me,” said Thompson. “I was privileged to travel and see the world. The military was such a blessing to my family and my life.”

Thompson’s two daughters were born while he was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The family also lived together in France. Thompson’s daughter, Francie Tait, says that though the family didn’t have much, she fondly remembers camping with her parents around much of Europe during those three short years stationed in France.

It was also in France were Thompson had one of his proudest military moments. A Canadian T-33 jet plane was in distress. Through Thompson’s guidance at air traffic control, the plane safely landed. He earned a certificate of exemplary service. Thompson’s career also took him to Asia and Africa.

Today Thompson lives at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller, not far from his daughter Francie. This Veterans Day she will also be celebrating her husband, who was also in the Air Force and graduated from the Air Force Academy.

About Mustang Creek Estates of Keller:

Mustang Creek Estates of Keller offers a one-of-a-kind residential assisted living and memory care community focused on providing a home-like atmosphere at an affordable price. 7 large homes make up the community neighborhood, with up to 16 residents in each home sharing activities, meals and memories together under the supervision of qualified, caring staff. Three home-cooked meals and snacks are made from scratch daily in each home’s kitchen and are approved by a registered dietitian. Mustang Creek Estates of Keller believes in providing seniors and their families with the utmost care and compassion in a personal setting that is designed to establish loving connections among staff, residents and their families, just like in your own home.

 

The community features all-inclusive monthly rates with three types of offerings available: assisted living, assisted living plus, and memory care, and can accommodate other caregiving options as residents’ needs change. An emergency call system, secure backyard, phone, cable, Wi-Fi, life enrichment program, on-site medical assistance and more are included with all levels of care. Home health and hospice visits the community seven days a week.

 

Mustang Creek Estates has been recognized locally as one of the Best Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities for 13 consecutive years. For more information about Mustang Creek Estates of Keller, please visit our website at www.mustangcreekestates.com or call 817-337-6800.

 

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KELLER, Texas, Sept. 23, 2019 – It’s homecoming season in Texas, and seniors (age 65-plus seniors) in Keller are also preparing for a fall dance. Mustang Creek Estates of Keller will host its Fall Ball September 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. This year’s king and queen are Gerald and Lois Mylnarak. The couple has been married for 34 years and has many fond memories of square dancing early in their marriage.

Today they both live at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. Lois is 91 years old and credits their successful marriage to doing everything together. The couple loves jazz, reading, dancing and shopping. The couple met later in life while both working at a Wisconsin Chrysler factory, and they stayed loyal to the brand throughout their marriage. While Lois is less mobile today, she’s not slowing down. She continues to give back through her church by knitting baby bonnets for newborns. She has created over 300 hats through the program with the Good Shepard Catholic Church. Living in Texas also allows her to be closer to her daughter, Bonnie Johnson.

“Most days my mom has more energy than I do,” said Johnson. “Even through this new phase of life, my stepdad continues to do anything my mother asks. It’s a wonderful reminder that love doesn’t know age. Their secret is possibly separate bedrooms! My mom says he snores, so it’s what works for them.”

While Gerald, 85, is dealing with memory loss, he and his wife are able to remain together at Mustang Creek Estates. Lois says it’s not always easy, but the key is to take things one day at a time.

“I admire almost everything about Gerald,” said Lois. “While dementia can bring bad days and good days, I still always know what he’s thinking. After 34 years, it’s okay if we’re not always talking, the important thing is we’re together.”

“We’re so glad this year’s Fall Ball will honor one of our beloved couples at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller,” said Allen Little, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. “Lois didn’t get a chance to attend a high school dance, so we hope she feels like the queen she is on September 26.”

The theme of this year’s Fall Ball is “let’s fall in love with the colors of the wind.” Mustang Creek Estates of Keller is thankful to this year’s decoration sponsors, Jade Events & Designs and Sunrise Home Health. Professional DJ equipment is also being provided Gerson Mora, also known as by DJ Mora.

“I love bringing the community together for events like the Fall Ball. The home-like atmosphere of Mustang Creek is truly something special and the ball is a perfect example of how our residents come together and support each other,” said Melissa Andrade, activities director for Mustang Creek Estates of Keller.

Mustang Creek Estates – whose mission is to provide seniors with high-quality residential-style assisted living and memory care at an affordable price – has additional locations in Allen, Burleson, Frisco and Sachse.

 

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It’s been 73 year since The Moonmaids first took the stage with famed baritone singer Vaughn Monroe in Washington D.C. Today, one of the founding members, Hilda “Tinker” Rautenberg, continues to sing and enjoy her fellow residents at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller.

 

The North Texas native got her start on the stage at North Texas State Teachers College (now The University of North Texas), where she met fellow members of the original quartet back in 1943. At that time, they were known as the North Texas Swingtet. Their big break came in Dallas when they tied for first place at a talent competition at the Majestic Theatre, sponsored by the Interstate Theaters of Dallas. This got the attention of tour organizers, and in September of 1944 they set off for Jacksonville, Fla. The teens toured hospitals across the country, singing for many veterans returning from World War II.

 

“While we girls were individually shy, we were collectively confident. We always dreamed of being in a group with a big band,” said Rautenberg. “It was amazing to see so many parts of the country at such a young age. We even got the chance to tour in Texas and my mother came to a show.”

 

The group made sure to attend every show with a big band. One night they went to hear Stan Kenton, a famous jazz-musician, and got the courage to ask him to listen to them sing. A writer for Band Leaders magazine was there as well, and after hearing them asked for their picture and demo reel. He passed names along to Vaughn Monroe was looking for a vocal group for his big band. Soon, the Texas beauties were flown to New York City for a whirlwind week in 1946. It was Monroe who renamed the girls The Moonmaids.

 

“We were ready to go – hats, gloves, and dresses – the whole nine yards. In one week, we learned 22 different arrangements, got fitted for suits to match the band and had a photoshoot for the promotional materials. We had no idea our boss was so popular,” said Rautenberg. “We also meet Vaughn and his family for the first time. To this day, I email with his daughter Candace.”

 

Touring with Monroe, The Moonmaids were constantly on the move. They performed across the country and frequently at The Meadows, Monroe’s dinner club in Massachusetts. They were also on the radio. The Camel Caravan, a radio show sponsored by Camel Cigarettes, would air each Saturday night featuring Vaughn Monroe and The Moonmaids. The first year with the band, the women were also included in the movie Carnegie Hall. Rautenberg and her fellow Moonmaids were so busy that their first Christmas after joining the big band was spent away from home.

 

“We were very busy. Typically, we didn’t even have time to see the cities we visited, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I loved the opportunity to be independent and make my own money,” said the 91-year-old Rautenberg. “We had no time, but it taught us all a new level of maturity at a young age.”

 

By 1950, Rautenberg says the constant touring was growing tiresome, and it was time to return to Texas. She went back to school and soon fell in love. The famed singer met her husband Bill on a blind date. While telling his parents about the new woman in his life, a commercial featuring The Moonmaids came on TV, impressing his mother. Rautenberg says after meeting his amazing mom, she was sold too. The pair got married in 1951, and she continued to sing jingles for local companies and radio stations in Dallas and in cities across the country. Her husband would often jokingly remark that he couldn’t get away from her.

 

Today, Rautenberg is still in touch with two of her fellow Moonmaids who are also in their 90s, Mary Jo Grogan and June Bratone. She’s also blessed with a daughter who recently visited Texas from Washington state. Living at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller, Rautenberg is still drawing a crowd. It’s not uncommon to see her surrounded by fellow residents singing big band tunes.

 

“Tinker radiates happiness everywhere she goes. It’s a joy to hear her sweet songs fill up our neighborhood,” said Candy Jiwa, executive director at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. “We love how residents like Tinker bring our community together.”

 

Mustang Creek Estates – whose mission is to provide seniors with high-quality residential-style assisted living and memory care at an affordable price – has additional locations in Allen, Burleson, Frisco and Sachse.

 

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A resident at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller is harnessing the power of the sun to create art. March marks the beginning of spring, and Jerome Fuhrmann is looking forward to long days of sunshine, which is the key to his passion. For the past nine years, this 74-year-old has created more than 1,000 cherished pieces of art with just a magnifying glass and a bright sunny day. Known as pyrography, or woodburning, the tradition dates back to the 17th century.  

 

Fuhrmann even credits his art with giving his life purpose. In November 2009, he suffered a stroke. With his left side often numb, he turned to woodburning to pass the time. At first, doctors told him he wouldn’t walk or talk again, but he proved them wrong. Today, he continues to drive and make his art, although he’s found it easier to use a wheelchair over the past year.

 

“It really saved my life. It gave me something to do instead of just sitting there,” said Fuhrmann. “I’m 74, but I don’t feel it because I stay so active,” said Fuhrmann.

 

For decades, this Vietnam War Veteran worked on farms and ranches in North Texas, often taking care of cattle and welding. He couldn’t imagine not working with his hands, so even without formal training, woodburning came naturally. Fuhrmann always saw himself as artistic, but he became an artist when he picked up a magnifying glass.

 

While others use a heated metallic point pen for woodburning, Fuhrmann prefers the magnifying glass he picked up 30 years ago at a flea market. He sketches out his designs freehand, not using any stencils. After that, it’s all about the angle he holds the magnifying glass to the wood. And he says to beware, it can burn if you’re not careful. His other two tips: wear protective eyewear and use soft wood like cedar or pine.

 

Nine months ago, Fuhrmann moved to Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. Living at the community allows him to remain independent and have peace of mind knowing that a caring staff is nearby. He’s also not far from his niece who lives nearby. His art became an instant hit among residents.

 

“It’s clear moving to an assisted-living community is not slowing this working artist down. His attitude is an inspiration to all our residents,” said Candy Jiwa, acting executive director at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller. “Jerome didn’t start woodburning until his 60s, and it’s a reminder to all of us at Mustang Creek Estates of Keller that you can always learn something new.”

 

On a sunny day, you can often find people gathered around Fuhrmann’s home at Mustang Creek. He’s also very generous with his craft, often taking requests and making things for fellow neighbors.

 

“It’s amazing how Jerome can bring together our community. If the sun is out, Jerome is likely out too, working away on a project,” said Jiwa.

 

Over the past nine years, Fuhrmann’s art has been commissioned by Texans, sold by art dealers and often donated to local churches in North Texas. One of his proudest projects was making wooden signs for the State Champion Muenster High Hornets in 2017. That year the students took state in basketball, baseball and football. Today you can find some of Fuhrmann’s pieces at a gift shop in Argyle, Texas, called The Gypsy Caravan.  

 

“I love sharing what I do with others. It’s even better when young people come to Mustang Creek. They’re always fascinated with what’s happening when I’m creating my art,” said Fuhrmann.

 

Mustang Creek Estates – whose mission is to provide seniors with high-quality residential-style assisted living and memory care at an affordable price – has additional locations in Allen, Burleson, Frisco and Sachse.