More Than Just a Concert

By Sheila Brustkern, Director of Sales & Marketing

Saturday, July 18, 2026 was more than just another event. The Cedar Valley Big Band was playing behind Village Terrace. Residents gathered by the lake with their families. Employees from every department were scattered throughout the crowd—some still working, others pausing for a few minutes to enjoy the music before returning to their responsibilities.

As I looked around, I realized I wasn't simply watching a concert. I was watching Friendship Village become exactly what it was always meant to be. Our founders didn't simply envision a retirement community. They dreamed of creating a faith-based Village where everyone could experience peace of mind and a true sense of belonging. That evening, their vision was everywhere you looked.

It's easy to spend our days focused on the things that need attention. We notice the weeds in the parking lot, the light bulb that burned out, or the meal that took a little longer than expected. Those things matter because excellence is found in the details. But that evening reminded me that every detail exists to support something much bigger—our mission. Everywhere I looked, I saw it coming to life.

• Residents and employees from every area came together as one community.
• One resident danced for the first time since losing a spouse.
• Another was still kicking up her heels at 100 years old.
• Our Director of Assisted Living danced with several residents, and the genuine joy on their faces said more than words ever could.
• Someone from nursing shared that it felt good to enjoy the summer breeze and hear live music for the first time in years.
• Grandchildren danced with their grandparents.
• A couple proudly showed family members their new home.
• The Auxiliary celebrated the grand opening of its new gift shop and hosted a concession fundraiser—both
• made possible through months of planning, preparation, and a shared commitment to giving residents meaningful opportunities to serve.
• Residents donated baked goods, handcrafted items, and countless hours setting up, serving, and cleaning up— without hesitation and often without being asked.
• Thanks to the generosity of Martin Bros. and Marcus Theaters, everyone enjoyed popcorn and ice cream treats. For the second year, the Cedar Valley Big Band delighted residents and guests with another wonderful performance.
• New neighbors became friends.
• One resident simply said, "Thank you. I made the right decision coming here." That simple sentence will stay with me forever.

None of the employees or resident volunteers knew whose life they might change that evening. They simply showed up with intention, kindness, and care. And when hundreds of people do that together, something remarkable happens. They create moments no one person could create alone.

That's what I hope we never lose sight of.

We aren't simply maintaining a campus or providing services. We are helping people continue writing their stories. We create opportunities for friendships to grow, families to gather, memories to be made, and lives to keep unfolding. That is the true purpose behind everything we do.

None of us knows how many summers we have left. That makes evenings like this especially meaningful. They remind us that our work is about far more than doing things well—it's about helping people live well. We create moments that become cherished memories. The greatest gift we can give isn't just excellent service or peace of mind—it's the sacred responsibility of creating a life filled with joy, connection, dignity, and purpose.

To every employee, volunteer, resident, family member, and community partner who made that evening possible, thank you. Whether you prepared the grounds, welcomed guests, transported residents, served refreshments, coordinated the event, or simply shared a smile and conversation, you helped create something much bigger than a concert.

You helped create an experience that reflects the heart of Friendship Village. Culture isn't built through policies or meetings. It grows through shared moments like this.

Years from now, I doubt anyone will remember whether dinner was a few minutes late or there was a weed in the parking lot. But I believe someone will remember sitting beside the lake on a warm July evening, listening to a big band, laughing with family, dancing with friends, and feeling, perhaps more than anything else, that they were exactly where they belonged.

This is Friendship Village.