And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matt:25:39 and 40

In reflecting on her life, Carol Cox Ingram knows that her Christian faith has been the foundation for her life. She says, “Each step has been a preparation for the next one. Matthew 25:40 serves as the basis for the work I have done.”

Carol came from one of the dense, multi-ethnic neighborhoods near Belmont and Central, that confluence of streets on the northwest side of the city in Chicago. Her parents, Hazel and William Cox, were of Norwegian, English and Welch ancestry: they settled in the Belmont/Central community to raise their only daughter.

Carol’s journey from northwest Chicago to rural western North Carolina is one of the interesting turns and pivotal intersections that opened new horizons to a young city girl. Carol’s family was very involved in Christ Lutheran Church. She regularly attended Sunday school, was confirmed, sang in the choir, and was active in the youth group. After graduating from high school, her first two years of college were in Minnesota at St. Olaf. Her liberal arts pursuit was interrupted by a decision to enter a three- year nursing program at Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing in Chicago, where she received a diploma and, after passing state boards, became a registered nurse. Carol returned to St. Olaf College to complete a BA in sociology.

When asked why she went into medicine, Carol chuckles, saying “I don’t know.” There was no family role model nor had she dreamed of being a nurse as a child. Nursing however, became her profession, and she pursued accreditation and skills at one of the country’s most distinguished nursing institutions. She received her Masters in Nursing Education at the University of Chicago where she was a student of Florence Blake, one of the two outstanding pediatric nurses in the country. It was Ms. Blake who urged Carol to apply for a traineeship at the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University.

Thus, began Carol’s affiliation with Duke University, where she began teaching pediatric nursing and later worked on a grant supported project in the Medical School’s Department of Pediatrics in the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic.

Soon after moving to Chapel Hill, she worked in the UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill in the pediatric department. Carol’s life in North Carolina was not all work and no play.  Soon after arriving, she took an evening class in world religions at UNC Chapel Hill to enrich her interest in religion and expand her social life. She was successful on both counts, for in class she met a handsome young man from Avery County.

Eighteen months later, Jim Ingram and Carol were married in a quiet Christmas ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chapel Hill. They settled down to work and raise their two children Mark and Kristi, but the call of the mountains lured the Ingram’s back to Jim’s roots. They purchased a forty-eight-acre farm. Jim was interested in horticulture and established an orchard on the property while working for a small local firm. Carol found avenues to follow her passion for nursing and health education.

Through a state grant, Carol, began nursing as WNC family grief counselor for families who lost an infant to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Later Carol worked as a nurse in a pediatric office and was the child health nurse for the Yancey County Health Department. She began teaching classes on SIDS at Mayland Community College which led ultimately to a full-time position.

Several years later, she became department head of the nursing program, serving in the capacity for nine years. “To honor beloved family member and long time head of Mayland Community College’s Nursing Department, the Carol Cox Ingram Scholarship was established by the Stokes Ingram heirs. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to Carol Cox Ingram, her life’s work and her devotion to educating future nurses.”

Carol moved into Mars Hill Retirement Community in 2005 and continues to be a teacher to all of us.

Through her grace and tenacity, while fighting Parkinson’s disease, Carol continues with the help of her friends and staff, to be active and involved in her church. She is a regular participant in adult education and is a member of the Villager Initiative and Caring Crew. She is part of a team that staffs My Sister’s Attic, a resale shop that benefits abused women and children. Inside the retirement community Carol coordinates vesper services which are held here every Sunday afternoon. She enjoys day trips, musicals, trips to the theater, and other activities with other residents of Mars Hill Retirement Community.

Carol’s children are grown now and have children of their own. Son, Mark and his wife, now live in Morristown, Tennessee and have two children. Her daughter Kristi and her husband live in Canandaigua, NY, and have four children.

It has been said of Carol Cox Ingram, a city girl who found herself far from the flat Midwest City of her birth, that she is a model of competent and caring professionalism. She also has a lot to teach about productive Christian living.

We can all be glad that Carol intersects our lives.

Residents and staff alike enjoy seeing her unusual costumes, and learning of the art, culture and the sampling of foods from different countries.  Last month Carol elected to share her adventures in the Republic of China she spent thirty three days there traveling throughout the country.

To Carol’s surprise, four of our residents had also visited in China, a couple of them during WWII.

After Carol’s presentation she and the residents had a wonderful time reminiscing their visits in this foreign country, and discovering from each other how much the country and its culture has changed.  Our residents are very impressed with Carol and look forward to her wonderful adventures.

This month…Italy!

• With 90 days of active military service?

• A discharge of any kind other than dishonorable?

• Age 65 or older?

If you can answer yes to these questions you should attend this event to learn how you may qualify for little known – little used VETERAN’s BENEFITS to assist with Long Term Care Expenses!  Up to $1,950 per month TAX-FREE!

(Expecially reserved for Veterans, Widows and their Children!)

Mars Hill Retirement Community invites all veterans and their families to a special veterans benefits workshop host at MHRC on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.  Please RSVP 828-689-7970 for this or future workshops!

Born in Columbus Ohio, Shannon’s family was not rich, but his father, a carpenter and stationary engineer was able to take the family with him to different parts of the country to visit and to learn.

When Henry was old enough, he landed a good job that would help to protect him from the draft since the job was considered vital to national defense. Henry also had a girl friend.

“The love of his life, Ms. Helen.”  Life was sweet, Henry escorted Ms. Helen to the movies one Sunday afternoon and when they walked out of the theater Henry heard the words “Pearl Harbor has been attacked! He had no idea where Pearl Harbor was and even less of an inkling how those words would accelerate his life into a blur of change and ultimately, that this news would take him into a brand new kind of military unit, to fight a war in places with names he couldn’t even pronounce.

“By Sunday night (of Dec.7) the government called up every person who was a military reservist and actually put them in route to military camps” said Shannon, who now lives at Mars Hill Retirement Community.  “By Monday morning, all of the reservist where I worked were gone. Just gone!”

Shannon saw that he wouldn’t be deferred forever so he enlisted. But Shannon’s new outfit had more to do with bulldozers and ships. Desperate for the work that only bulldozers and trained crews could provide the US Navy had formed the Naval Construction Battalion in 1942 calling it the “CBs” for short.

That abbreviation soon gave way to the more colorful term “Seabees” and thus was born a new bread of American military man: They would build airstrips, the depots, and a dozen other construction projects crucial to waging modern warfare.

Shannon began his Seabee career in Fort Milney, New Guinea, building a depot for the invasion force slated to head from Australia. He was later sent to Subic Bay in the Philippines to build a railway station.

The Seabees were – and remain –a very distinctive legacy of that “day of infamy” that shattered a quiet Sunday morning. But Shannon stressed that lack of uniformity didn’t limit the effectiveness of this unruly group. Mr. Henry Shannon is the last living survivor of the 115^th Battalion. “General MacArthur once said that ‘the Seabees were the most unmilitary outfit in the world, and there weren’t enough of you.’” said Henry.

Of Ms. Helen, she waited for him and Henry made her his bride after the war. They

had three girls, one of which settled in this area. Henry and Ms Helen planned to move here. But Henry took a detour after his wife of 51 years died and he traveled all over the world.

The vest you see him wearing has a pin to represent a destination in each of his travels.

Shannon retired to Mars Hill Retirement Community in January of 2005. Of Mars Hill he said,” Mars Hill Retirement Community is as good as they come and I’ve met a good friend here.”

Dozens of local boys and girls entered the door decorating contest hosted by Mars Hill Retirement on Saturday, Dec. 12, and fortunately not one was naughty—but all were exceptionally nice. That’s good because Santa Claus showed up to add holiday cheer to an already joyful and artistic competition.

The contest was won by Sarah Griffin, who is in second grade at Mars Hill Elementary School. Santa had a gift for every child, and a photo was made of every child and resident who sat on Santa’s knee as a gift from Mars Hill Retirement Community.

Sarah Griffin accepts her prize for winning.

“You could feel the excitement of both the children and the residents as the contest got underway,” said Teresa Hammack, marketing director for Mars Hill Retirement Community. “Residents were amazed at how well behaved and talented the groups of young children were, and you could tell each group had  designed and planned the doors ahead of time.” Each of the children’s teams also had an adult leader .

Residents and more than 50 guests watched in wonder as bits of paper, ribbon, and tape turned into wonderful doors of holiday cheer. The residents were as proud as the children and invited each other to view the wonderful displays on their doors.

The Winning Door!

 A lunch of turkey sandwiches, chips, cookies and milk were served to the guests as they waited for Santa to arrive and the winning door to be announced. When the residents and children heard Santa was in the building, it was hard to contain the excitement! Children excitedly got in line along with some of the residents to have that special moment to exchange wishes with Santa and to catch that special look to ensure that their holiday wishes would come true. For such good kids, they probably will.  

 MHRC would like to thank everyone who participated this year!

Happy Holidays!

Mars Hill Retirement Community is “calling all kids” to enter the door decorating contest being held at the senior living community this Saturday, Dec. 12, from 12 p.m to 5 p.m.  Elementary school-aged children are invited to find an adult and form a team to create an attractive holiday-themed door, which will be judged between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Winners will receive Toys-R-Us gift cards and lunch will be provided at no charge. 

“We thought the local community would enjoy sharing the holiday season with some of our senior residents while competing for some great prizes,” said Teresa Hammack, marketing director for the Mars Hill Retirement Community. “There’s even been a report that Santa Claus himself will make a visit. I am happy to confirm that report.”

Besides fun with Santa, great food and exciting prizes, the children and their adult team leaders will also enjoy visits from the Sugar Plum Fairies, elves, and a princess.  

As an added bonus for taking part, kids and their parents will receive a free photo of themselves taken with Santa as a gift from Mars Hill Retirement Community.  There will also be plenty of hot cocoa and cookies on hand throughout the afternoon.

Mars Hill Retirement Community hosts “So You Think You Have Talent Show” at the Hertiage Festival, October 3, 2009 in Mars Hill, NC.  Teresa Hammack, Marketing Director will emcee the event on Main Street starting at 10:00am Saturday morning.

Then, later mosey up to Mars Hill Retirement Community on South Main Street and have some hot apple cider and snacks with Tammie. We would love to show you around. There’s a good reason Madison County is know to be “The Jewel of Blue Ridge.” Come discover the best kept secret in WNC!

If you enjoy crafts, art, dance, music, singing and food the Hertiage Festival is for your entire family. Mars Hill is just a hop skip and a jump from Asheville, NC – North on 19-23. Exit 11 Mars Hill.  Take a left off the ramp and follow  Carl Eller Road to Main Street.