Gifford, Governor Celebrate Nursing Home Expansion

The newly expanded Menig Center is opened with ribbon cutting, culinary treats, awards and speeches from, among others, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. Here, Menig resident Harold "Bucky" Joy cuts the ribbon. (Herald / Bob Eddy)

Slicing golden shears through a red ribbon, Menig Extended Care Facility resident Harold "Bucky" Joy welcomed a crowd that included the governor into his newly expanded home Thursday evening, Nov. 2.

Menig Extended Care, a nursing home at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, was expanded from 20 beds to 30 and a new entryway built at the southern end of the hospital over the last year. Last Thursday, an official opening was held for many of the donors who gave a total of $1.2 million to the project, hospital trustees and officials including Gov. James Douglas, Dept. of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living Commissioner Patrick Flood, and Vermont Health Care Association Executive Director Mary Shriver.

Hospital President Joseph Woodin welcomed the crowd, and thanked state officials for allowing Gifford to "right-size" its facility and help 10 more elderly receive quality care close to home.

"I can attest to the persistence of the people of this community," said Douglas, who received many letters from Randolph area residents pushing for state support of the nursing home expansion project.

The result, said Douglas Thursday, was "a really exciting event, because Vermont's getting older as a state." Gifford's project allows more Randolph area elderly to remain "close to family, friends and neighbors, and that's why I'm pleased today," Douglas said. "I want to congratulate the entire Gifford family."

Menig and its staff have been the recipient of six statewide awards in the last two years. The hospital's Board of Trustees also presented Menig Director of Nursing Brooks Chapin and Administrator Linda Minsinger a certificate of appreciation to the Menig staff.

Trustee Randy Garner, standing in the nursing home's expansive new activity room, said, "It's so nice that 10 more people won't have to drive the freeway to see their family members." The Menig expansion, he said, means fewer families will be separated by icy roads.

Also added was a new beauty parlor and needed staff space. A garden near the new entryway will be completed in the spring by the Gifford Auxiliary. New rooms include doubles and singles. Staff members have noted that new common spaces in particular, like the large activity room, greatly benefit residents' quality of life.

Gifford decided to add on to the Menig facility after its waiting list grew to more than 60 people. Built in 1998 thanks to the generosity of Howard and Gladys Menig of Braintree, the Menig facility replaced the much larger 53-bed Tranquility Nursing Home nearby in Randolph and is the only facility of its kind in all of Orange and northern Windsor counties.

Trustee and Development Committee Chairwoman Susan Sytsma thanked all who helped Gifford meet that community need by giving to the project, declaring, "You are a tremendous group of people. Because of your sincerity and commitment and investment in Gifford, we have a success story today."

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