Riewer speaks on Eventide at Rotary

Jon Riewer, CEO of Eventide Senior Living Communities of Moorhead, Minn., was introduced by Gary Riffe, administrator of Eventide at Hi-Acres, at the Jan. 25 Rotary meeting.

Riffe shared with the members about the history of Hi-Acres Manor and then the need to have a succession plan for the Riffe family. Riewer and his organization had been looking for facilities that might be available for sale and someone suggested he call Riffe. One of the goals of the Riffe family was to have an organization with a vision and mission similar to Hi-Acres Manor and who would be willing to keep the staff. Eventide fit the bill and purchased Hi-Acres Manor on July 1.

Riewer said Eventide was started in the mid-1950s and sponsored by approximately 27 Lutheran churches in Clay County, Minnesota. Twenty-two sponsoring churches are a part of the Eventide organization. Two of the Lutheran churches are part of the Missouri Synod.

Eventide moved into the West Fargo area and developed Sheyenne Crossings in 2009, which is located on 13th Avenue and Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. Riewer said this entry into North Dakota made Hi-Acres seem like a good next step. He knew some of the background on Hi-Acres and the care and services they provided within the community. After touring and learning more about the organization he felt this would be another good fit for its vision and mission.

Eventide at Hi-Acres has a full array of rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy and can provide these services six days per week. Riewer also spent some time sharing about the future of long-term care.

The meeting was presided over by President Rick Pfeiffer. Darrell Losing gave the invocation, Casey Stoudt and Bev Kennison led the group in music and Mark Olson collected numerous “Happy Dollars.”

Rotary members gave acknowledgement to longtime member Marv Tokach who was named Citizen of the Year for the city of Jamestown by the Chamber of Commerce.

Student guests at the meeting were Jamestown High School seniors Jazman Schafer and Kylie Whisman.

Past President Dave Smette gave an update on the Nepal project that the Jamestown chapter helped sponsor. This project was designed to help provide jobs for people with disabilities. They have a number of people with disabilities who were previously not employed or were not employable and are now working.

He also reminded the board and members of grants available for District 5580. As it begins to look at future projects this can be taken into consideration. He reminded members how the Rotary soccer project was completed and it was not only with local fundraising, but with matching dollars from the district as well as Rotary International.

The board meeting will be 11:30 a.m. today at the Buffalo City Grille.

Tags: community, clubs, rotary