Middlewoods of Newington Celebrates 10 Years!

On March 10, 2013, United Methodist Homes will celebrate ten years of owning and operating Middlewoods of Newington. And what a fantastic decade it has been!  This small, 54-apartment assisted living community in Newington was the perfect addition to the UMH family, providing yet another opportunity to continue its century-long mission of caring for seniors.  It was a perfect fit right from the start.

Middlewoods of Newington immediately became involved in the Newington community, joining the Chamber of Commerce with Executive Director, Kathy Braga becoming an active member on the Board of Directors.   Over the last decade, Middlewoods has remained connected with the town and the Chamber, and Kathy is now the Vice President of the Chamber. 

Middlewoods has been host to various functions for town and other civic organizations; linking with local schools to help with reading programs; acting as a collection site for the local food pantry and overseas soldiers; knitting hats, scarves and gloves to donate to shelters in Hartford; feeding the homeless in Bushnell Park and participating in countless other community events and services. Middlewoods of Newington has been recognized by the Assisted Living Federation of America, the Connecticut Assisted Living Association, Planetree, Leading Age and the Newington Chamber of Commerce; winning awards for Excellence in Service, Resident Service, Humanitarian of the Year (two years in a row!), Public Safety and many more.    

In addition to these many accomplishments over the last decade, there are a few events that are particularly memorable.  In 2008, Executive Director, Kathy Braga, was training for the Boston Marathon and residents quickly got on board with the “Beat Braga to Boston” campaign; beginning a health initiative that had them cumulatively walking between 65 and 95 miles per week!  Residents can brag that they have participated in a marathon because while Kathy ran in Boston, they logged the 209 laps around the building to equal the distance.  This initiative lives on today with every new resident moving into the community automatically becoming a part of the team;  proudly sporting a fleece jacket that says, “I log my miles at Middlewoods of Newington”.

Residents took center stage in 2011 with their uproarious production of “Mystery at 2125”; a short film written and produced by Activity Director, Marissa Salvesen (loosely based on the Home Alone series) that had the Residents “defending” their home from the “Snow Bandit”.  The film won acclaim from the Connecticut Assisted Living Association and has even been posted online (check it out by searching “Mystery at 2125”.  Don’t miss the hilarious bloopers clip!). 

Middlewoods of Newington has become synonymous with excellence in service, quality care and for being a small and cozy community with big ideas and an even bigger heart!  It has been a great decade at Middlewoods of Newington and we look forward to what the next ten years will bring.

To learn more about Middlewoods of Newington, please visit our communities page, or for more information about United Methodist Homes, contact us we would love to hear form you!