Walnut Hills commends associates, hands out awards

Walnut Hills Retirement Community recently honored 29 long-time associates with service awards at a luncheon at the Inn at Honey Run near Millersburg.Louise Hershberger, of Berlin, Shirley Lehman, of Walnut Creek, and Esther Miller, of Sugarcreek, led the group recognized this year for their service. Hershberger has worked at Walnut Hills for 40 years, beginning her career just after the nursing home opened in 1971. Lehman and Miller have both worked at Walnut Hills for 30 years. Others who received service awards include Kathy Freese, of Ragersville; Deb Hershberger, of Walnut Creek; and Donna Pennell, of Navarre; all for 25 years. Betty Beachy, of Sugarcreek; Ruth Hershberger, of Benton; Matt Wengerd, of Dundee; and Ruthann Yoder, of Sugarcreek; all for 20 years. Judy Beachy and Mary Beachy, both of Barrs Mills; and Stephen Miller, of Millersburg; all for 15 years of service. Those who received service awards for 10 years include Buffy Hostetler, of Sugarcreek; Katie Hostetler, of Winesburg; Rachel Miller, of Walnut Creek; Doris Olinger, of Baltic; and Edna Troyer, of Sugarcreek. Those who received service awards for five years of service were Angie Ankrom, of Sugarcreek; Carol Beachy, of Walnut Creek; Leona Brannon, of Millersburg; Emma Coots, of Millersburg; Denise Gallion, of Millersburg; Melissa Klintworth, of Sugarcreek; Kristina McRobie, of Sugarcreek; Emma Miller, of Baltic; Alta Shrock, of Sugarcreek; Joyce Waidelich, of Sugarcreek; and Edna Yoder, of Walnut Creek. Jeremy Kauffman, executive director, noted that the 29 associates recognized at the luncheon have a combined 405 years of experience with Walnut Hills.“To have so many long-term staff members is outstanding,” said Kauffman. “You view your job differently than most people do. Thank you for realizing that you get more from your job than just a paycheck.” Kauffman and Merle Miller, director of nursing, introduced the service award recipients and presented each associate with an award of appreciation for their years of serving the residents of Walnut Hills.Walnut Hills is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community which employs 190 associates and is home to 250 individuals. Independent living, catered living, and assisted living housing options, as well as memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing care are available on the 110-acre campus, which is located on Olde Pump Street in Walnut Creek.