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Article written by Karen Lyddane

From a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania, Jane Diehl shared her youth with six siblings. She was next to the youngest-the oldest is a youthful 95 years old at the writing of this article. Jane went to Washington, D.C. 11 days after graduation from High School, because a sister was living there and wanted to share a great opportunity. The young Jane was inspired to pass the Civil Service test and was offered a job right on the spot! She was 17 years old, hadn’t ventured from her beginning, and was scared to death. Although Jane didn’t want to leave home, her sister and a friend persuaded her to step into the job “as she could always quit.”

Of great comfort was the ease of going home on the weekends.

In high school days, Jane had a lot of friends but would never claim that she was popular. So, imagine how surprised she was when her classmates voted her to be their Prom Queen in 1960! This was in her senior year.

Arriving in Washington, DC in June of 1960 Jane moved in with her sister and two friends in an apartment in SE Washington, DC. A year later she moved to Arlington, living there until moving to her current home at The Woodlands Retirement Community. Jane was not one to move around a lot. All during this time, Jane had a government career. She was at the Department of Agriculture for 29 years, where she regularly met and worked with political appointees. This was a fascinating time for Jane and it was there a friend introduced her to USDA Assistant Secretary, Wilmer “Vinegar Bend” Mizell, who was seeking an assistant for his new presidential appointment by his friend George W. Bush, as Executive Director, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS). Mr. Mizell was a politician and former professional baseball player. He served three terms as a member of Congress from North Carolina and known outside his political career as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher for the original Mets, the St. Louis Cardinals and finally with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played in their 1960 World Series Championship. Jane was sure that she would stay in her current job but gave in to some convincing talk and accepted a lunch invitation with him. That was it. She just couldn’t say no! He won her over, she accepted the position, and they became best friends. She remembers him for being “a true Christian.” The PCPFS is a Federal advisory committee made up of well-known sports and fitness personalities, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Chairman while Jane worked there. He visited all 50 states promoting the physical fitness program.

After 2 years at PCPFS, Mr. Mizell accepted a new appointment – Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jane went with him and finished her government career as Program Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Her office windows overlooked Lafayette Park and the north side of the White House. On 9/11, Jane was in her office when the plane hit the Pentagon. Although she didn’t see the actual impact, Jane saw the building instantly turn into a raging inferno. She exited the building and not wanting to ride the subway, walked through Georgetown, over Key Bridge, then up Lee Highway to her Arlington residence. Jane will always remember the weird sky-it was so quiet. Right then and there, she decided it was time to think about retirement and leaving the city.

Jane retired in January following the terrorist incident. It wasn’t the way she wanted to end her career, but she is convinced that it turned out to be the best thing. Today, she is 23 years retired after a 42-year government career.

Adventures in life revolved around being a “beach person” and traveling to islands. She enjoyed sailing trips with friends and found she didn’t like sailing at night and preferred staying on top with whoever was on watch.

After many years of living in a condominium, a fall resulted in surgery. Jane realized it was time to think about a more carefree living environment, where she could enjoy living independently with low or no maintenance. She wanted to feel safe and secure, have nutritious meals and the opportunity to meet new friends. Her favorite thing at The Woodlands Retirement Community is the welcoming invitations of her neighbors to join them for dinner.  Not only does she enjoy good food with her neighbors, but also the great opportunity to become acquainted and have new friends. Her move to the Woodlands Retirement Community provides all the above and more, making for her stress-free life.

Article written by Karen Lyddane

A little while ago, Chef Jose Portillo found himself considering his priorities. Then, he began searching for employment that would give him the life he wanted. He really enjoyed the career experience with Country Clubs, the FBI, DEA, and private organizations, and he wanted to stay in this type of environment. Working where he knows and has a personal relationship with the people, using his knowledge, spending time with family, all these priorities are met at The Woodlands Retirement Community.

Born in El Salvador, 15-year-old Jose came to America. His first job, in High School, was as a dishwasher. He found that work was very rewarding, and so he applied himself to gaining experience in the working world. A turning point was working for a company who offered to send him to Culinary School – they paid his expenses!

And, what a Culinary School! Jose attended the Institute of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. He learned his skills in two years and received a degree. When he’d leave class, he pursued employment in Arlington, Virginia, and went on to work in many places in Washington, D.C. This was when he earned experience in Country Clubs, hotels, and private restaurants.

College time meant motorcycles, for transportation, and for fun. He’d race two motorcycle-riding friends every Friday night, on Interstate 495! Now, when he’s driving on 495, Jose thanks God for keeping him safe.

Time outside of The Woodlands is spent mostly with family and fishes! His work schedule allows valuable time with his five brothers and three sisters. His mother started the tradition of everyone gathering together on Sundays, a tradition they enjoy to this day. They take turns caring for his father, who moved back to El Salvador after living in America since 1972-a surgery left him unable to tolerate cold weather. He is never without a family member. Chef goes there for two weeks, every four months. Chef has favorite fishing places, mostly in Maryland. Of course he won’t reveal them to us! He likes lakes and the Solomon Island.

Above all, Chef’s proudest accomplishment is the way he raised his kids. Cedro, Chef’s son, is employed with the Navy Federal Credit Union as an analyst and works from home. Jancy, Chef’s daughter, is a hygienist. They both live in Stafford. He smiled when talking about how they both feel about him. “We wouldn’t be the way we are except for you.” When they were young, he devoted as much time to them as he could-something that he looks back on with a great feeling in his heart. He shared with them a lot of what his father shared with him, and credits God with giving him the knowledge to be the best parent possible. It wasn’t easy for him- he was working 14 hours a day to send them to a private Catholic school, but never said to them: “I am tired.”

Chef loves to work, to be at meals where residents can ask questions, offer suggestions, and become his friends. He enjoys talking about specials, upcoming culinary events, and hearing about foods that are favorites. To have such an intense position is summed up with this quote: “You work long hours but you have to love it.” Chef’s attitude about Life? “God is good.”

James waves as he goes confidently in the direction of his dreams.

Article written by Karen Lyddane

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., James Dotson grew up in a Christian home. His church life influenced his world “as far back as I can remember.” His young voice, a high tenor, fostered many moments in choir. A friend and James started a small group of singers—a Christian chorale varying in size but never more than 12. His tenor voice added to this four-part harmony singing group. They moved around as the singing engagements dictated. Later, he dropped out of church life but continued to sing with this group.

An invitation to a church to sing provided a moment of listening to a sermon in 1994 that changed his life. James remembers two points: 1) God still loves you, and 2) only God, not you, has the power to change you. These points encouraged James to go into counseling to create the new direction he desired. He decided to dedicate himself to his faith.

Backpacking, an infrequent but favorite activity in former years, is replaced by walking in Nature, which he often does today. James smiled when revealing that he’s recently purchased a mountain bike. It’s today’s version of memorable times with bicycle touring. He hopes to begin riding it this summer. He plans to work soon with a voice coach so his 2nd Tenor voice can be heard again. Movies with powerful stories attract him—he has a collection including those with historical themes. He is especially drawn to movies focusing on the challenges of Black/African American people. Not totally predictable, James also has a copy of “Secretariat.” Museums with the Imax theaters, going to the Holocaust Museum, being with family and friends, all factor-in highly.

James taught Grade 7– through 10, and Physical Education, as a science teacher for a private Christian school. He was friends with a music teacher, and when she decided to form a band, he played the trombone for a brief time.

Of all his life experiences, James counts his time as his mother’s family caregiver as the most fulfilling moment. He thanks God for being able to be with her as she spent her final years before “going to her rest” at the age of 94. He reached higher levels of patience and caring in witnessing his mother’s transition from her home to assisted living to rehabilitation, then long-term care.

James has two main thoughts on living an independent lifestyle. He advises planning for the future as soon as one is able, so that when the time comes, (s)he is as well-prepared as possible. Retirement, for James, gives choice to live as he wishes. For instance, removing the issue of commuting alone frees up time needed for pursuing his interests, such as working with his faith-based, non-profit organization. James wishes to work as long as he can, this fulfills him, rather than just being entertained. He wants to do a lot more and experience life. Making a difference is important.

Bottom line? James devotes himself to his God and prays to “allow me to fulfill your plan.” He is a brother, an uncle, a friend. His many roles and responsibilities combine in embracing life. And that, the simple but complicated effort of embracing life, makes every day a triumph for James.

Article written by Karen Lyddane

Best described as a “travelogue,” Jim and Joanna Sullivans’ journey through life started in New England. They find it amazing that Joanna, from Providence, RI, and Jim, from Boston, MA, ventured across the waters to Germany, where they would meet and join hands. Joanna, at age 22, already showed her adventuring spirit. She was just out of school and left her teaching job in Prince George’s County to go overseas. Her six close friends had gone in different directions and she surprised everyone by packing her suitcases for her new home. Joanna’s family just couldn’t understand why she would do such a thing, after all, she went on her own, alone! Meanwhile, Jim was stationed in Mainz. They decided to socialize in the same group of other single people. The turning point came when Joanna found that John F. Kennedy was coming over. She wanted so much to see him (she’d worked for him as a volunteer when he was a Senator), and Jim had a car…thus their courtship began. After waiting for Jim to come home to Rhode Island, they married during a 12” snowfall, on December 28th.

Their first seven years inspired Jim and Joanna’s globetrotting life. They moved every year, sometimes twice in one year. They lived in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Korea, Rhode Island and Georgia. Moving so much meant minimal possessions-they downsized before they upsized! Jim’s military career was the driving force. Like most military couples, they had no problem balancing career and family. They did what they had to do and didn’t think twice-this was everyone’s mindset. Jim and Joanna feel that their children benefited from learning in many schools. Their four children, Jim III, Patrick, Brendan, and Kerri, are all married. Each has two children of their own, born within four years of each other. Six of eight grandchildren are in college, studying a variety of subjects-they are the number one interest of this busy couple.

Jim counts living in Japan during high school years as formative. Another formative time was the year in which he graduated, was accepted for college, left his family, and went to Indiana. In another significant year, he went to 16 straight Red Sox games. His first “visit” to his alma mater Notre Dame was when he stepped off the train, duffel bag on his back, on his way to meet his new classmates.

Jim rises early and goes to church on most days. He returns to join the Men’s Coffee Club, where they “solve the worlds’ problems, and create more.” He enjoys dinner with his neighbors, but also alone with his wife. He swims three times a week and has become great friends with Cyrus Kanzi, the Pool Instructor. Jim follows team sports; college baseball is his favorite.
Joanna is an avid reader with her choice of genre being fiction and actively participates in a book club. The woodsy paths at her new community often see her walking shoes. The saltwater pool is another source of her exercise. As a child, Joanna played many card games and still does! She’s discovered “Hand and Foot” which is now her favorite. Joanna is very sociable and appreciates her new friendships.

What they like a lot in their new community are the evening concerts. Joanna hadn’t heard bluegrass before she attended a concert and now taps her toe to American Roots music. After discovering their proximity to George Mason University, they are enhancing their lives with all the cultural and educational offerings. They are happy to see familiar performers at GMU, who are often scheduled in their community living room.

The main reason for Jim and Joanna’s move into The Woodlands was to live a lifestyle that freed them up for spending time with their children and grandchildren. Jim and Joanna marvel that their children have been in their professions for 25 years or so, and that they had some part in their success. Wonderful life, family, success in many directions, desire to live life to its fullest-these make up a big part of their reasoning for moving into an independent lifestyle in a community. They moved because they wanted to be free, to live, and believe that The Woodlands was the perfect answer to their considerations.