Brio Living Services and Partners Celebrate 25 Years of The Pines Senior Apartments in Chelsea
Brio Living Services celebrated 25 years of The Pines Senior Apartments in Chelsea at an event on Wednesday, June 25. The Pines is a collaboration between Brio Living Services and general partners, Phil Seybert and Sydney Smith. Brio Living Services is the managing partner for the community.
The Pines first opened in July 2000. Consisting of 98 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, The Pines is located at 325 Wilkinson Street, on a wooded, ten-acre parcel of land in Chelsea. On its grounds is a giant oak tree, estimated by the University of Michigan to be 300 years old and purported to be the oldest in Washtenaw County. Architects for The Pines changed their original design of the construction to encircle and protect this magnificent tree.
The 25th Anniversary event included a dinner and short program with Brio Living Services President & CEO, Steve Fetyko; General Partner, Phil Seybert; and Kristy Collins, Executive Director for The Pines; as well as music by the local group, North Creek Fiddlers.
“The residents were our focus for this event,” said The Pines Executive Director, Kristy Collins. “We wanted it to be a time for our residents to celebrate.”
Collins is only the second director in The Pines 25-year history, following Shirley Mitchell, who worked at The Pines for its first ten years. Collins is one of three Brio Living Services team members who currently work at The Pines, including maintenance technician Todd Feazel, a 14-year veteran; and Jamie Adams, facility maintenance personnel, who has worked there for four years.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since first conceiving a vision for The Pines, and I am so pleased it turned out as well as it has,” said Seybert. “What is most gratifying is that we have had so many residents over the years who have chosen to call The Pines their home. We strive to provide an environment that is comfortable, safe, and secure, and our staff from Brio Living Services—Kristy, Todd, and Jamie—do a superb job. As an owner, I couldn’t be happier because I know our residents are being taken care of.”
“There is a deep sense of community at The Pines,” said Collins. “That’s true even for the staff, as Todd’s mother-in-law lived here, too. Our proximity to Chelsea Hospital, Chelsea Retirement Community, and Silver Maples of Chelsea allows our residents to have close access to healthcare or additional care if they need it. We’re really lucky to have what we have here in the community.”
Three original residents of The Pines continue to make this community their home, including Lynne Popovich, Bea Lesser, and Jan Dampier, who has lived in the same apartment since first moving in. “The image of The Pines is excellent in the community,” said Dampier. “The Pines has a great reputation.”
Collins confirmed this, stating that there is a wait list of up to two years for a 2-bedroom apartment and nearly one-year wait for a 1-bedroom apartment. “People say they hear such good things about The Pines. Much of our publicity is from word of mouth.”
Popovich added, “We just have the best mix of people at The Pines. People are really kind, friendly, and look out for each other. It’s a very safe, comfortable, and homey feeling. Some people will say they don’t know why they waited [to move in]. Not all the residents are from Chelsea; some have come because they have family nearby. It’s very down to earth and welcoming.”
When asked what they would tell their friends who might consider moving to The Pines, both Popovich and Dampier said, “Sign up now!”
“That’s what I tell everyone,” said Popovich. “It’s an active place, and people love it here.”
To learn more about The Pines Senior Apartments, request a brochure, or schedule a tour, visit ThePines.MyBrio.org or call 734.433.9130.