Dateline: May 6, 2004

Assisted living idea is closer to reality

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A long-awaited assisted living center will take another step closer to reality this weekend with groundbreaking ceremonies being held Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Clarendon Country Cottage Assisted Living will be located at Seventh and Taylor, and manager Sue Leeper says the facility when completed will give local people the opportunity to stay in their hometown near family, and friends.

The Country Cottage will be a 17-apartment building available for ambulatory residents, who will be provided home cooked meals, a warm and loving environment, interaction with other residents, and assistance with medications as well as medical needs.

The facility is being designed by architect Ken Condray of Lubbock and will be built by contractor William Jones of Amarillo.

Leeper said she’s wanted to start an assisted living facility for many years but only moved forward with the plan after her husband, Jack, passed away last April.

“He told me to go on with life, and this is my way of doing that,” she said. “We’ve always wanted this for the community.”

Leeper expects construction to start on the facility this fall and to be open for business sometime in 2005.

“We’re still in the financial stage of it,” she said. “We’re forming a limited liability partnership for investors.”

Leeper worked for 18 years as a nurse and director of nurses with the Donley County Hospital District and then was employed for three years by the Texas Department of Health, where she investigated and surveyed nursing homes.

Leeper invites the public to join her in prayer and thanksgiving at the groundbreaking this weekend.

“We believe that Clarendon Country Cottage has been orchestrated by God for the community of Clarendon.”