Rolling Green Village - 30 Years

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THIRTY YEARS SERVING &

Celebrating Seniors

More than three decades ago, Hoke and Mildred Smith donated 120 scenic lakeside acres to the Greenville Baptist Association to build a facility that would serve senior citizens. It was a donation that Rolling Green resident Sam Putnam – the second person to sign up for a spot thirty years ago – was thrilled to hear about.

“I thought back then that the Greenville Baptist Association should construct a retirement center,” he said. He shared the idea with leaders and worked on a committee for several years until the donation became official in 1985.

Putnam, who was an architect with J.E. Sirrine, had drawn sketches of an ideal property with a lake, paths, woods and flowers, and he couldn’t believe it when he then saw the property the Smiths were donating. “They couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it when I had drawn the sketch,” Putnam, now 94, said. He had envisioned exactly the type of tranquil landscape where Rolling Green Village would eventually be set.

an educational mission, since Mildred had taught school for 30 years. But after hearing Godwin speak about the retirement community, they decided that could be their cause. They offered one-third of their Rolling Green Farm, and according to a history written by Annamarie Burts, they allowed the Greenville Baptist Association to choose the upper, middle or lower third. They chose the lower third, which perfectly matched Putnam’s sketches.

a refundable entrance fee and a monthly fee for services received – an idea that played a large role in the community’s early success.

As a result of the Smith’s donation, the Greenville Baptist Retirement Community was formed, with 16 trustees. Russell Hoke Smart, the Smiths’ nephew, was named to the board and elected vice chairman of this not-for-profit group.

After years of effort, setbacks and fortuitous circumstances, the organization concluded that the total project would cost $12 million, with 150 independent living apartments, a 44-bed nursing facility, administrative and food service facilities and all infrastructure. This original phase used 50 of the 166 available acres (the committee had purchased 46 additional acres to improve access), leaving the rest to be developed as independent housing.

Original chairman of the GBRC and Rolling Green’s first executive director, Dr. John Bandy, and Smart saw that a new approach was needed in senior care. Until the early 1980s, the common model was for seniors to pay a large entrance fee, often the bulk of their assets. The Rolling Green trustees recognized that their clients wanted to retain control of their own financial assets, so they decided on

Putnam ended up designing many original facilities for Rolling Green, and has enjoyed living there next to the lake for 30 years. “It couldn’t be a The original proposed master plan study better place to live,” he said.

“They keep adding activities and things for residents. It’s really something special.”

THE BEGINNING Hoke and Mildred Smith became involved when their pastor at Roper Mountain Baptist Church, Rev. Troy Godwin, showed them a report about the need for a retirement facility that had been prepared by Putnam’s committee.

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The official groundbreaking took place on June 30, 1985, with Furman president Dr. John Johns as featured speaker. The following April, a fire – started by a worker’s cigarette – decimated several structures, moving the completion target date to December 1986.

By then, 10 or 12 homes were occupied, and new residents were moving in almost daily. Full occupancy was achieved by early 1987, proving that Putnam was right from the start – there had been a need and a desire for a new facility serving seniors.

THIRTY YEARS OF GROWTH

The Smiths had discussed giving back to the community in some way and had considered

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According to Smart, Bandy honored the Smiths with the name Rolling Green Village, named for their Rolling Green Farm. “We all knew that Mildred would never consent to the project being named after Hoke and her, but using the name of their farm would honor them indirectly,” Smart wrote in 2006.

In the 1980s and ‘90s, Woodside, Creekside, Morningside, HIllside and F E AT U R E

Benson said some sections are full and interest is still high, which is why careful expansion is always in mind. “We have a really exciting future, and I’m excited to be here, providing care and services for people in the community in ways that were never thought possible 30 years ago,” he said.

Since he first became involved, McCall has seen its skilled beds increase from 44 to 70 beds, with around-the-clock staffing by registered nurses.

Dick & Louise Hudgins and Ed & Frances Skinner were the first to move into the Village. They came in about the same time, which was around September 27, 1986.

Summerside were developed. The personal care unit opened in 1990, a new apartment wing was added in 1998, and Evergreen Place opened in 1999 for the care of dementia patients.

The always-popular wellness and health center was expanded in 2012. Putnam loves to exercise individually and with groups, and helped lead the physical education program for 27 years, only stopping at age 90. He still works out five days a week walking and lifting weights.

The community now features restaurant-style dining known for its delicious, healthy cuisine, a beauty salon, complimentary local transportation, a well-stocked library with Wi-Fi, a club room for gatherings and much more.

Duke McCall, current chairman of the Board of Trustees, first took on that role in 1995 and has served on and off since then. In his 22 years with Rolling Green he has seen many renovations and expansion take place, but he said the consistent thread is dedicated volunteers – residents working alongside trustees and others – working to make it the great retirement community it is today.

Benson values that Rolling Green is not a narrowly focused nursing home, but a community where many people – about 475 out of 650 – are independent, living in their own homes and apartments. “The anecdotal research shows that people who move in stay more independent, have a higher quality of life for more than four years longer. People can choose their level of care, and we can help them stay independent by providing services. Plus friendly, meaningful relationships in the community – everything necessary for good, healthy aging.”

A LASTING LEGACY

McCall believes that the vision of Hoke and Mildred Smith and the other key players has been fulfilled and exceeded. “According to my understanding, their vision was that of a retirement village in a beautiful setting with a very relaxed lifestyle,” he said. “Our residents are very astute taking advantage of Wi-Fi, our portal, the walking trails, the exercise/therapy pool, exercise room, planting gardens, woodworking and other activities. I doubt Hoke and Mildred envisioned our medical clinic, the assisted living unit, the skilled care unit or the memory care units we have now. We are continuing to grow, and are planning further expansion for more people to enjoy this wonderful place.”

While Hoke Smith passed away in 1977 and was unable to see the retirement community

Bob Benson, executive director at Rolling Green Village, has been with the retirement community for a year and a half, but he recognizes the importance of understanding its history so he can make decisions “consistent with who the organization is and who the people are,” he said.

he helped make possible, Mildred Smith lived adjacent to the Rolling Green property and then became a resident herself in 1993.

She had envisioned a more modest facility, according to her nephew Smart, but was happy in her apartment there until she passed away in 2004.

Putnam is pleased with the way Rolling Green fulfilled its vision over the years while expanding and changing to meet the needs of the community. One aspect that hasn’t changed is the area’s natural beauty. He was able to choose a select spot along the lake when he moved in, and he still enjoys looking out his back window and appreciating the scenery.

But as he’s gotten older, he has been glad to let the staff take over more duties. When he moved in at 64, he was still working and enjoying completely independent living with his wife. She passed away 12 years ago, and now “they do everything for me,” he said of the expert staff. “I give them a six-day menu of what I want to eat, and they’ll deliver it or I’ll pick it up. The food could not be better. They tend my yard, they furnish maid service. So I don’t have to move out of my house any time soon.”

McCall encourages the Upstate community to come see for themselves how Rolling Green is staying true to its roots while offering the best of today’s advancements.

Culture has changed over the course of three decades, and Rolling Green has changed as well, with expanded programs and offerings, more activities and expanded wellness options.

“Rolling Green Village is growing and changing as the 21st century demands,” McCall said. “We will not be the same community in the future we are today. We are planning more residents, more amenities and hightech equipment to serve our current and future residents. We invite everyone to come and visit.”

With 650 people living there today in a variety of neighborhoods and with a range of assistance levels, H A P P Y

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For more information visit us online at RollingGreenVillage.com or contact Ruth Wood at ruthwood@rollinggreenvillage.com