With a groovy ’70s-themed party with tie-dyed shirts and a special letter of celebration provided by St. Petersburg Commissioner Deborah Figgs-Sanders, on Thursday Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida celebrated the organization’s 70th anniversary of serving older adults with more than 200 attendees and guests.
The organization was first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida. It began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.
At the same time Westminster Suncoast is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding in 1964 as Suncoast Manor Retirement Community. The community, Westminster’s sixth Life Plan Community, serves more than 300 residents in St. Petersburg’s beautiful Pinellas Point, with a gated campus of manicured courtyards and villa homes.
The party featured a tie-dyed homage to the 1970s in celebration of the organization’s 70th anniversary, including live entertainment by the Bus Stop Band playing songs from the ’70s, guests dressed in tie-dye from head to toe, a history exhibit, bodacious food served in Crock-Pots and on portable griddles, and even a costume contest with lava lamps as prizes.
Tom Rockenbach, Executive Director, thanked the attendees with a word of welcome. “Westminster Suncoast is an amazing community. It’s rare to find such a diverse group of people living in such a harmonious and welcoming environment,” Rockenbach said. “We embody a family relationship engaging team members, residents and family members in the warmth of a true community.”
“While we are celebrating Westminster’s anniversary today, we are also celebrating another important milestone: That is your Westminster Suncoast 60th anniversary as well,” said Chief Operating Officer Garry Hennis. “Our organization and our communities have changed a lot over the last 70 years, but we have always remained committed to our mission of service to older adults.”
Hennis added, with a gesture to the many guests wearing custom-made T-shirts: “And boy, I haven’t seen tie-dye look so good since I was a kid!”
Commissioner Deborah Figg-Sanders represented the City of St. Petersburg and Mayor Kenneth Welch for the occasion, and brought a letter of congratulations. “I wish Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida a happy anniversary and wish you the best of success,” Sanders said, on behalf of Mayor Welch.
A highlight of the event was the costume contest, with four very thematically appropriate lava lamps awarded to the winners.
Guests enjoyed a toast to Westminster Suncoast’s 60th anniversary, and after the ceremonies, residents, future residents and team members enjoyed an afternoon of live music and dancing by the Bus Stop Band, and a variety of delicious treats provided by the Westminster Suncoast Dining Services team, from molded jelly to cocktail meatballs.
