20th Anniversary Commemorative Issue 2009
The Mayflower
A
1620 Mayflower Court
P U B L I C A T I O N
O F
T H E
Winter Park, Florida 32792
M AY F L O W E R
(407) 672-1620
R E T I R E M E N T
C O M M U N I T Y
Celebrating
20 Years
Looking Back,
Moving Forward
hen David McGuffin,
CEO of The Mayflower
Retirement Community, looks
back on the past 20 years, he
does so with both pride and
humility. McGuffin has been
with The Mayflower since the
“ship set sail” so to speak –
from the days of blueprints and
architect’s renderings . . . through
groundbreaking and construction
. . . to completion, grand opening
and subsequent expansions.
“It has been an honor and a
privilege to serve the residents
of The Mayflower all these
years,” he says. “And I am
humbled to have been a part
of the community’s success.”
Indeed, The Mayflower has
been a success story in many
ways. The continuing care
retirement community (CCRC)
W
The First Congregational Church of
Winter Park sponsored The Mayflower.
boasts a staff retention rate of
86%, compared to the national
industry average of 12%. And,
despite the recession, it remains
100% occupied, while CCRCs
across the country are averaging
87% occupancy.
A Strategy for Success
What’s the secret? Certainly,
the community’s resort-style
amenities and service package,
premier Winter Park location,
caring staff, and prefunded
long-term care program have
a lot to do with making
The Mayflower such a desirable
place to live. But, beyond that,
McGuffin says, the Board and
management of the community
have always been strategic and
forward-thinking – implementing
long-range planning that
positioned them for the future.
“Of course, we were fortunate
to open during a time when there
was pent-up demand in this area
for a CCRC,” McGuffin recalls.
“And the sponsorship from First
Congregational Church made a
big difference. But, after that
initial surge of residents, we had
to plan carefully to keep
occupancy high and evolve to
meet changing needs of the
market.”
Over the past two decades,
part of that evolution has
included a series of expansions,
refurbishments and new services
– including the construction of
an Assisted Living facility and
single-family Villas, the addition
of an on-site clinic staffed by
a board certified geriatrician,
a Grille Room for casual dining,
remodeling of the lobby and
Standish Center, and an
extensive renovation of the
pool and patio area.
need-driven,” McGuffin notes.
“So, the key element going
forward is the delivery of
comprehensive, consistent,
quality long-term healthcare.
While we already do that, we
want to expand those services
even further to become a ‘center
of geriatric excellence’ that will
Financial Stability
All of that was made possible,
according to McGuffin, by key
benchmark refinancing in the
mid-90s and the issuing of
investment-grade bonds in 1999.
“We put the building blocks in
place to achieve the financial
stability we needed to grow and
prosper,” he says. “Since the
beginning, The Mayflower has
had extraordinary financial
performance that has consistently
exceeded the marketplace. It has
enabled us to not only provide a
better amenities package, but
also to keep fee increases well
below the national average.”
What’s Next?
As the retirement living
industry continues to reel
from a struggling economy,
The Mayflower is positioning
itself to once again be ahead
of the curve. “The market
is becoming increasingly
CEO David McGuffin and residents
Ann Haendiges (left) and Pat Levy celebrate
the community’s 20th anniversary.
offer cutting-edge clinical
treatment, as well as peace of
mind for residents and their
families.”
“With our strong financial
foundation and our equally
strong brand,” he adds, “we are
well positioned to continue
leading the way.”
INSIDE
PASSAGES
Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Headlines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Reflections...
Time goes by so quickly. Has it really been 20 years since The Mayflower welcomed its first residents? Seems like yesterday.
Those who have been involved with the community from “day one” have watched it grow and evolve into the gold standard
for retirement living in Central Florida. Looking back, they offer their perspectives on this very special place they call “home.”
Murial “Mim” Dubuc
Bob Copeland
Eleanor Lewis McKechnie
Dale and Martha Morrison
Elizabeth Brownlee
Mary Ellen Wacker
Resident since 1989
Board member since 1986; resident since 2005
Resident since 1989
Board member since 1986 (Dale); residents since 2004
Resident since 1989
Resident since 1990
When Dale Morrison retired from Traveler’s
Insurance in 1986, he joined The Mayflower
Board of Directors where he interviewed and
hired many of the original staff, including CEO
David McGuffin. Dale and his wife Martha knew
The Mayflower so well that it was only logical
for them to move in when the time was right.
Elizabeth Brownlee and her late husband John
met while attending the University of Nebraska
in the late 1930s. On their first date, he told her
all about his travels to Florida, and when the
couple married in 1940, they honeymooned here.
When John retired from the U.S. Air Force as
an intelligence officer, the Brownlees moved to
Winter Park and were among the very first
residents to move into The Mayflower.
Most special “Mayflower moment”? During our 20th
Anniversary Celebration, David McGuffin mentioned
me in his speech as the resident who has lived at
The Mayflower the longest.
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? I’ll say the grilled,
fresh tuna fish.
Best thing about living here? The security.
The maintenance. The wonderful activities.
The physical fitness program. I work out on the
equipment almost every day. That keeps me going.
Programs or functions you enjoy most? Big events,
like the Seafood Festival. I enjoy inviting our children,
grandchildren and friends from Winter Park to
experience our fine dining at The Mayflower.
Most special “Mayflower moment”? My wife has
since passed away, but we always enjoyed being
together here.
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower? It is
impossible to choose. I’ve simply had too many fun
moments here – and I still do.
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? The salmon.
Words of wisdom for future residents? Be ready to
make friends.
Words of wisdom for future residents? They should
look at other facilities. But when people compare them
to The Mayflower, they always end up here.
Groundbreaking for Major Expansion
(Assisted Living and Villas)
Programs or functions you enjoy most? I’m active in
the sewing and art groups. There’s so much going on
that you have to keep young to keep up. It’s an absolute
A-plus community.
Programs or functions you enjoy most? We love the
camaraderie here. We look forward to the variety of
social activities and eating dinner with our golf group.
Best thing about living here? The Mayflower does
everything for us that they possibly can. They make
things easy for us. They take care of our minds, our
bodies, our souls. They provide wonderful exercise
programs, a variety of lectures, Bible classes and all
sorts of extras.
Programs or functions you enjoy most? My days are
nicely balanced between swimming, eating with friends
and attending lectures.
Most special “Mayflower moment”? I have
experienced the grief of sudden death twice while at
The Mayflower. Both times, I had the incredible support
of family and friends.
Most special “Mayflower moment”? We have five
grandkids, all of whom are musical. During the last
four holiday seasons, they have put together a string
ensemble and have performed Christmas music at
The Mayflower.
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? The salmon.
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? The beef wellington
is wonderful!
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? The roast beef on
Sunday is particularly good.
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower? I just can’t
emphasize enough how pleasant it is every day here.
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower? I love playing
bridge and going to parties. The Seafood Buffet is better
than anything.
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower? We’ve had too
many fun times to choose just one.
Words of wisdom for future residents? Come while
you still can exercise, enjoy the library, the music and
participate in the activities. If you wait too long, you
won’t be able to take advantage of everything here.
Words of wisdom for future residents? Do it early
rather than late.
Words of wisdom for future residents? Be sure to come
while you can enjoy it, make friends and get involved.
Life at The Mayflower . . . “will exceed your
expectations.”
Life at The Mayflower is . . . “a wonderful experience
where you can have fun, make friends and be active.”
1996
Mayflower Grand Opening,
Congressman Bill McCollum
Presiding
1994
MILESTONES
1990
Life at The Mayflower is . . . “rewarding.”
Best thing about living here? It takes the responsibility
off our children and relatives to take care of us as we
decline in health. The record shows that people living in
a retirement community like this one will live five years
longer than they would otherwise.
1999
Life at The Mayflower is . . .“what you make it.”
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower?
The Seafood Festival.
Best thing about living here? The leadership is
unmatched, and the staff is wonderful. The residents
here are interesting, kind, wonderful people. And when
you’re alone, as I was when I was widowed on two
different occasions, this is the place to be.
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
It’s probably the smartest thing we ever did.
Grand Opening of
The Villas at The Mayflower
Mayflower Launches Captain’s Club
Mayflower Opens
On-site Geriatric Clinic,
with Board Certified Geriatrician
Most special “Mayflower moment”? I celebrated
my 90th birthday here. All four of my children and all
11 grandchildren made it. I loved it.
Life at The Mayflower is . . .“exactly perfect.”
Grille Room Opens
Standish Center
Remodeling Completed
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? My husband
was on a planning committee for The Mayflower, so
we were enthusiastic about it before a shovel was even
lifted! We watched as it was being built. We wanted to
be part of it.
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
I knew this would be a pleasant, secure place. Now I
call it “home.” I have been delighted with every day
I’ve been here.
Best thing about living here? The whole package
makes you feel secure. It’s a friendly, warm place to live.
Programs or functions you enjoy most? The on-site
music programs and the book reviews. We have
wonderful artists who come in and perform for us.
Most special “Mayflower moment”? When David
McGuffin reviewed the “20 years of The Mayflower”
for all of us recently. It was wonderful to look back and
remember everything. I was here early; I’ve seen a lot.
Favorite item on Mayflower menu? Spaghetti.
Most fun you’ve had at The Mayflower? I’ve been to
England, Italy, Austria, Germany and other interesting
places with The Mayflower. Our activities director,
Betty Nelson, is a doll – she’s fun to travel with.
Words of wisdom for future residents? Come early.
So many interesting things are going on, and you can
pick and choose what you want to do.
Life at The Mayflower is . . . “like a very nice cruise –
without the rocking of the ship. Something fun is
happening all the time – and you’re among friends
for the ride.”
2009
Programs or functions you enjoy most? It’s hard to
narrow down, but I do enjoy line dancing and bridge.
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
From the start, I was very impressed with
The Mayflower’s healthcare center. They didn’t have
assisted living back then, but we built it. Our facilities
are as good or better than any out there.
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
The Mayflower is everything I thought it was going
to be, but better. It was the best move I’ve ever made.
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
It was 1986 when I started envisioning The Mayflower,
and it has turned out very much like I thought it would.
We planned every detail we could, and we solved
problems as they came up. It certainly paid off.
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? We learned
from John’s father to recognize the right time to move
to a retirement community, and we did. We did it for
our children. We didn’t want them to have to worry
about us, and as it turns out, they certainly don’t.
Originally from Michigan, Mary Ellen Wacker
moved to Central Florida during World War II,
when her late husband Ken was transferred to
Sanford as a supply officer with the U.S. Navy.
They liked Florida so much that they stayed.
When Ken retired 20 years ago, the couple
moved to The Mayflower two months after the
community opened.
2008
Best thing about living here? The companionship.
The comfort. The friendliness.
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? When I was on
the Board of Directors for The Mayflower, we visited 21
retirement communities throughout the Southeast, and
we thought The Mayflower was head-and-shoulders
above most of them.
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? As a member
of the original Board of Directors, I had followed
The Mayflower for two decades, so I knew a lot about
the community and its outstanding leadership.
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? My husband
and I didn’t want to be a burden to our children. And
we wanted to be independent. We had watched
The Mayflower grow, and even after visiting several other
communities, we knew we liked The Mayflower best.
2007
After 20 years, how do you view The Mayflower?
The Mayflower is a facility of which I’m very proud.
We have an excellent staff and outstanding leadership.
Our chief executive is a national leader in his field, and
he has guided the fiscal policies of The Mayflower very
well for 20 years.
Eleanor Lewis McKechnie has watched
The Mayflower develop and grow over two
decades. After years of moving throughout
New York State and Connecticut with their three
children, Eleanor and her late husband, Donald
Lewis, relocated to Longwood in 1979. Ten years
later, the couple moved to The Mayflower –
just three days after the community opened.
2006
Reason for moving to The Mayflower? When Al and
I retired, we spent our winters in Texas and Central
Florida so we could golf and play tennis. We had
already signed up for a retirement community in
Pensacola. After that, we received the brochure from
the First Congregational Church in Winter Park and
visited the marketing office and saw the small replica
of The Mayflower. I’m so glad we did!
Bob Copeland has helped guide The Mayflower
from groundbreaking to completion – and
through its continued evolution. While working
as a program manager for Eagle Technology,
which later merged with Northrop-Grumman,
Bob joined The Mayflower Board of Directors
and was instrumental in planning the
community. When it came time for Bob and his
late wife Virginia to move to a retirement
community, the decision was an easy one.
2004
At 96, Mim Dubuc has a lifetime of wonderful
stories to tell. Originally from Maine, the retired
English teacher and Coast Guard officer has
traveled the world. When it came time to move
to a retirement community, she and her late
husband Al selected The Mayflower and were the
community’s first “move-ins.”
Pool/Veranda
Renovation Completed
Mayflower Celebrates
20th Anniversary
Headlines
Over the past 20 years, The Mayflower and its residents have generated substantial
press coverage in publications ranging from local papers to the Wall Street Journal
and USA Today. Here’s a look back at some of our biggest “newsmakers.”
1620 Mayflower Court
Winter Park, FL 32792
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NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
AREA CODE & PHONE NUMBER
E-MAIL
Winter Park’s Distinctive Retirement Community
1620 Mayflower Court Winter Park, FL 32792
(407) 672-1620 www.themayflower.com
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The Mayflower Retirement Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation, owns and operates The Mayflower (88141PRAD 11/2009)
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Zip Code 32862
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