If you spent some time speaking with Donna Butler and Geraldine Webb, residents of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco, you would quickly erupt in laughter. One day, they joined each other for lunch at the senior living community and instantly became inseparable besties, following each other everywhere and cracking jokes whenever possible. Compared to the characters of “Thelma and Louise” by team members in the community, Butler and Webb have formed a strong friendship filled with laughter, support and sheer happiness. Studies show that making new friends has even more benefits as people get older and it positively impacts overall physical and emotional well-being. People without friends tend to feel lonely and isolated, especially after the loss of their life partner. Casual friendships can be beneficial, however, close friendships are more likely to offer the emotional support seniors often miss. Butler, 86, who moved to Texas in 1963 from Oklahoma City and raised four children with her husband, and Webb, 96, who moved to Texas in 1977 from Kansas City, believe that it is never too late to create long-lasting and meaningful friendships.

“Some of the Mustang Creek Estates team members told us that we are so close it’s like we are twins,” said Butler. “We do everything together, going for a walk, social activities and other outings, I can’t imagine not having her around. We are friends with other residents, but we just clicked and I feel like our personalities blend really well. I have relied on friends my entire life, and I was married for 50 years so I am used to having somebody close to me. Geraldine makes me feel happy and alive, and we have a wonderful time together.”

Butler is a mother of four children – two twins and two adopted – who all live in the area, but she still understands the importance of having somebody by her side, somebody who she can laugh with and spend time with each day. Butler’s husband worked at the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and the two met through a mutual friend. Butler used to work for a government herself, up until she retired. Webb has two sons, one who lives nearby and one who lives in California. She was married for about 55 years and met her husband while she was training to become a nurse. These days she enjoys staying social and participating with her dear friend in all the activities that Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco provides.

“Many of my old friends passed away, but I gained a new and valuable friend here at the community and I am forever grateful,” said Webb. “It is a very nice feeling to know there is somebody who cares about me so much and is this close to me. We enjoy each other’s company and we want everyone to know that it is never too late to create meaningful friendships.”

Involvement in social activities is essential for older adults, as it has a positive effect on their health and overall lifespan. Studies show that seniors with close friends tend to be more positive and optimistic. Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco recognizes the physical and mental benefits that socialization and social interaction has on older adults.

“It is heartwarming to watch Donna and Geraldine, they truly are like each other’s shadow,” said Candy Jiwa, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco. “I just love that they created an instant bond and are inseparable now. We provide activities to help residents connect and socialize, and watching them together brightens my day.”

Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco, an assisted living and memory care community, is excited to host a supply drive in honor of its existing partnership with Polly Tadlock Elementary School, named for a person who holds a special place in the hearts of Frisco residents and the senior living community. Tadlock is a retired teacher from the district who taught for 24 years and received the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Silver Citizen of the Year award in 2002. The Tadlocks also previously owned and sold the land to Mustang Creek Estates to build its senior living community in Frisco. Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco is asking the public to help support a cause which is close to their hearts by donating supplies for Polly Tadlock Elementary School teachers to supplement frequently used items in their classroom. The public is encouraged to drop off Magic erasers, pencils, dry erase markers, Sharpies, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, gallon-sized baggies, paper towels and stickers (any kind). The items can be dropped off at Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco inside House F at 1200 West Main in Frisco. The drive will go through the first week of August and the donated items will be presented to teachers during the week of August 14th. 

 “When Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco reached out to me and offered to host a supply drive for a second time I was thrilled,” said Sarah Perry, counselor at Polly Tadlock Elementary. “The teachers are so touched that they were thought of again. Our school district has so many wonderful programs which help children receive their school supplies, and our school has excellent resources, but oftentimes teachers buy classroom materials out of their own pockets. This was such a nice surprise, and everyone is so excited about the generosity of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco.”

Two years ago, the senior living community established this partnership with Polly Tadlock Elementary as a way to honor Tadlock for entrusting them with land which has been in her family for dozens of years. The partnership involves resident visits to the school and creates an intergenerational connection which benefits both seniors and students. Mustang Creek Estates believes in making a positive impact in the greater community and always looks for ways to give back.

“When we hosted a teacher supply drive for the first time it was such a success that we didn’t think twice about hosting it again. The goal of the partnership is to support some of the hardest-working and most selfless people in our community – the teachers,” said Candy Jiwa, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco. “Polly made such an impact on our own community that we wanted to contribute to her legacy in some small way. We hope the public will support our endeavor so that we’ll be able to give these teachers the supplies they need for a successful start to the school year.”

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 and Keller. Recently, Mustang Creek Estates announced construction of its newest senior living community in Sachse. The community is now accepting reservations and expects to open in fall of 2017.

For members of the public who have questions about the school supply drive, please contact Kristy Ghallager, activity director at Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco, at (214) 679-1508. 

As the Christmas season draws near, volunteers from senior-focused organizations in Frisco are making sure seniors in assisted living and memory care feel like they’re at home this holiday season. Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco is hosting a tree trimming party with partners Envoy Hospice, Senior Select Home Health, Encompass Home Health and Theracare Home Health, and together they will decorate a Christmas tree in each of the six residential assisted living and memory care homes at Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco. To spread the holiday spirit even further, the assisted living and memory care community is partnering with Toys for Tots, and the tree trimming party will kick-off the toy drive. The partner organizations will bring gifts and the drive will run through December 18. The public is invited to drop off donations in Houses C and F during that time period. Toy donations should be new and unwrapped, and meant for children up to 12 years old. 

There are many different secrets to aging gracefully, but one centenarian new to Frisco – Ione Mowrey – attributes her long life to her overall positive outlook and attitude – and a laugh a day. Mowrey is moving to Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco from Ohio next week, just in time to celebrate her 100th birthday on September 21. The senior living community is hosting a party for Mowrey with her family, staff members, fellow residents and Frisco Mayor Pro Tem Will Sowell at 2:00 p.m. in House C (1200 W. Main) to celebrate this momentous occasion. The party will honor Mowrey’s life, share how the world has changed over the last 100 years, and guests will enjoy cake provided by Haute Mama Dessert Company and punch. Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco looks forward to honoring Mowrey as their first-ever centenarian and acknowledging the rich life she continues to live.

“I never thought I would make it to 100, I just tried to live every day and stay happy,” said Mowrey. “I try to find something to laugh about every day – that’s my motto – and enjoy time with my family. Every time we’re together we have such a great time, and I’m looking forward to moving because I will get to be closer to them. It’s hard to pick a favorite memory, but I greatly enjoy any time I am with them.”

Mowrey lived in Mount Vernon, Ohio, for most of her life, and worked as a secretary and book keeper for many years. She still keeps her own books today and handwrites or uses a typewriter to manage her finances. Mowrey was married for 66 years and has one daughter, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“She is excited to move to Texas to be closer to her family and spend more time with us,” said Mowrey’s daughter, Kathey Wythe of Plano. “We love the smallness of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco, and we think she will do very well in an environment where she has her own room, home cooked meals and socialization with other seniors. We were so surprised to learn they wanted to throw her a party – it was completely unexpected. It means a lot that they think of her as part of the family already, even as a new resident. We look forward to the celebration.”

“It’s truly an honor to have Ione as one of our residents, and we can’t wait to learn more about the 100 years she has lived,” said Scott Smith, executive director of Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco. “She has witnessed the world change so much, and her knowledge and experience will add a lot to our community. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with her family and welcome her to Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco.”

Building upon their established dedication and service to animals, seniors at Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco continue to commit their time to providing warm beds for cats and dogs that are being fostered through the Frisco Humane Society (FHS). Since last summer, the seniors have been meeting twice a week to hand-make the fleece beds for abandoned or neglected pets. In 2015, the seniors made and donated 50 beds, and they hope to increase that number to 75 beds through the end of 2016.

To extend its impact even further, the senior living community is holding its second annual animal supply drive to give the public a chance to help the smallest members of the community find their forever homes. FHS is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization which relies on the homes of volunteers to take care of the animals’ needs until they are adopted. The public is encouraged to help the organization by dropping off laundry detergent, canned dog or cat food, toys and beds for animals of all sizes as well as gift cards to shopping outlets such as PetSmart or Costco at Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco located at 1200 West Main in Frisco in House C through August 1. In addition, members of the media are invited to the pet bed making projects throughout July to see the residents create these special beds for the animals.During the first week of August, the humane society volunteers will pick up the donations from the supply drive and bring other foster animals to the community to raise awareness about this cause.

FHS currently has about 50 dogs and cats available for adoption, and they are all fostered in the homes of volunteers. Many expenses for food, toys and other supplies for their foster animal are paid for by the volunteers out-of-pocket. As the animals await adoption, Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco is helping offset the volunteers’ personal expenses through this thoughtful activity. When senior residents make the pet beds, the volunteers do not have to buy them. The Frisco Humane Society was established in 2001 and has saved nearly 9,000 homeless, abused or unwanted dogs and cats.

 “We are so thankful to Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco for continuing the pet bed project and hosting a supply drive for us again this year. We were overwhelmed with their generosity last year, and we were excited to learn they planned to do it again. It’s wonderful that the residents are so committed to the animals and are using their time to give back to their community when they have already given so much,” said Heather Cox, FHS volunteer dog coordinator. “Being able to replenish items in our foster homes and provide new, clean toys and beds is very important to our animals’ socialization, which ultimately helps them become adopted.”

“Many of our residents grew up with animals and wanted to give back to animals in the area that needed good homes,” said Penny Tipton, Mustang Creek Estates of Frisco activity director. “The supplies we will donate and beds we’re making bring purpose to our residents’ lives and allow them to give back to their community in a personal way. The dog bed making activity is our most attended activity, and we know that’s because of the hearts our residents have for animals and the fulfillment they receive through providing comfort to animals in need.”