The Wartburg Report If you are new to this newsletter, welcome.   The Wartburg Report was created to bring you the latest campus news and events, including what's happening at our beautiful Chapel, the Friedrichs Residence, Lohman Village, the Meadowview, Waltemade, Rehab, and our new Berkemeier Memory Care Center.  We need your contributions: We welcome your feedback, suggestions, news, noteworthy stories, and articles. Please reply to this email to tell us what you would like to include in future issues, such as photos, special events, parties, art work, poetry, stories, and news you would like to share with your Wartburg neighbors.

It's official: Announcing the Grand Opening of the Berkemeier Memory Care Living Center.

Our State-of-the-Art Memory Care Facility is Where Care Meets Compassion!

Wartburg is excited to announce the grand opening of The Berkemeier Center, a 50,500 square-foot facility dedicated to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia care. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Tuesday morning, April 30th at 11 am, at One Wartburg Place.

The new Berkemeier Living Center features 64 state-of-the-art residences, including 32 private and 32 companion suites, focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Wartburg's leadership, design team, business and civic leaders, and the media will attend the ribbon cutting, followed by facility tours. Residences at The Berkemeier Living Center are designed like small households, creating an intimate and comfortable feel. Key features like short walking distances and oversized windows enhance the healing environment, with each household having its living, dining, and kitchen spaces.

The first-floor lobby and gallery showcase Wartburg’s history, featuring Berkemeier artifacts. Additionally, the first level includes event spaces, a music therapy room, and administrative offices. A healing garden in the rear yard provides outdoor seating and community space.

The Living Center benefits from nearby nursing and rehabilitation centers on campus. It is LEED-certified, reflecting its energy efficiency and health-conscious design.

Berkemeier Living Center is named in honor of Wartburg’s second President, Reverend Dr. Gottlieb C. Berkemeier, who served for thirty-six years and elevated The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School to a leading institution.

Robert Ranieri, Board Chairman of Wartburg, expressed gratitude for the project and recognized the increasing need for Alzheimer’s care. Dr. Nicholas Cicchetti, Chairman of Wartburg’s Foundation Board, sees the Living Center as a milestone in Wartburg’s Vision 2025 Master Plan.

Mount Vernon’s Mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, commended Wartburg’s commitment to addressing memory loss and providing a supportive environment. Said Mayor Patterson-Howard: “The Berkemeier Living Center signifies a new benchmark for memory care services in the region, offering dignity and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.”

Memory Lane

  Do you remember these movies? Every issue of this newsletter, we will feature one or more old movies, drawings, or photos from the past.

Words of Wisdom

  "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Words of Faith

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
- Proverbs 14:23