A family of 454 celebrates

NEWTON — Bristol Glen’s 10th anniversary recently attracted staff, residents and their families, local business people, allied health care professionals and the public for a celebration. Currently Bristol Glen has 454 staff and residents. Since opening in 2001, it has served 1,094 seniors. The mission of the United Methodist Homes, to provide quality and caring services to senior men and women, has remained unchanged for over a century and its Continuing Care Retirement Community in Newton, has done so for 10 years. Many factors warranted the event: Bristol Glen only came to fruition after a generation of focused effort by churches and community leaders in northern New Jersey. Thirty-three individuals who assumed residency in 2001 remain. Twenty-four of those pioneers signed contracts in 1998 and 1999 based only upon architectural concepts. In addition to 29 employees hired between 1983 and 2001 still on staff, they hold memories of the long-closed Branchville community. In fact, staff recorded and assembled a publication titled, “Reflections by Pioneer Residents and Ten Year Residents and Staff.” Also noteworthy, Bristol Glen remains the only CCRC in Sussex County. To complement the publication, a photo retrospective played in the rotunda and video of resident interviews projected onto screens in the chapel, town hall and along Main St. Sodexo Dining Services prepared cheese, fruit and vegetable platters. Geneva Hull, who donated land to United Methodist Homes in 1977, was credited by Rev. Dr. H. Alden Welch, chair of the Bristol Glen board of directors, for originating the dream. He recognized Barbara Harris and Rev. E. T. Holland who both chose to become residents after their service on the Bristol Glen Project Committee. Charles L. Tice, a lifelong Sussex County resident and member of Bristol Glen’s board of directors, praised Bristol Glen for its significant and far reaching economic impact, evidenced in 2009 by the Newton Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expansion Award.