Elizabeth Meyer | Jul 25, 2016
Walker Methodist is home to incredible Residents who brighten our days and fill our hearts. It’s our pleasure to introduce you to Gil Bernstein, a Walker Methodist Resident at Westwood Ridge in West St. Paul.
Two years ago, I was recovering in the hospital after an infection in my leg. My wife, Joyce, was also recovering from surgery. At that point, we both knew it was time to consider senior living, and we met with the folks at Walker Methodist and took a tour of the community. And we looked no further because we really liked it. We knew we could easily make Westwood Ridge our home.
Meet Gil Bernstein
I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and lived in this community my whole life. I attended Webster Elementary School, Marshall Junior High, and Central High School. I married my wife, Joyce, at the age of 23. She was 20 at the time. We met at a Christmas party. We will celebrate our 51-year wedding anniversary in September. I worked for Whirlpool for 19 years before the company closed, and then I was a taxi cab driver for nearly 39 years. The best thing about being a cab driver for almost four decades was the money! Even after I retired, I still drove part time for the Jewish Community Center for five years. I heard lots of good stories from the backseat over the years. I still like driving. If I could leave today and drive anywhere, I’d head to Hinckley to Grand Casino to gamble a little bit.
Thinking of Senior Living For You or Your Loved One? Download Our Free 30 Questions to Ask on a Walker Methodist Tour.
Making Westwood ridge Home
Joyce and I stay busy at Westwood Ridge. I call bingo six days a week, and we attend birthday parties and exercise in the expanded community across the parking lot. We’re both members of the Ambassador Club which is a highlight! We help with events and serve on committees and act as the welcoming team for new Residents and employees, too. We enjoy being part of things where we live, and socializing. Everyday, there is something different going on and so many activities to partake in if you want. Each day at about three o’clock, I go out in the hall to chat with “the boys” for an hour or so. It’s a friendly place. It’s nice to have the option to eat in the dining room if Joyce and I so choose. Some of my favorite meals include steak, chicken fried steak, and BBQ ribs. On some Friday nights, we’ll go down for shrimp.
Westwood Ridge is full of nice people. Amanda, Carol, Danielle, and Diane – they are so great. They make life easy for people just by being who they are.
