LA VETA — La Veta Village is an assisted living facility, established two years ago. At that time, the facility was finalizing the training of their new staff and then welcomed their first two residents. On April 29 of this year, LVV founder Jeanne Schwarz found herself saying ‘so long’ to the original head administrator, Sheri Wiens (who is retiring), while welcoming Wiens’ replacement, Elisa Ingoldby. A change of leadership ceremony was unfolding.
At this leadership transition, Schwarz told the gathered LVV residents, staff, and volunteers, “Sheri Weins and I met 30 years ago at a facility in Castle Rock, where Wiens was taking care of my mom.” The two became close friends. When Schwarz set her sights on creating an assisted living facility in La Veta, she would call on her dear friend Wiens to help start La Veta Village.
Over these past two years, under the guidance of Wiens, LVV has seen its resident population increase to 11, with room for five more, before reaching the maximum population of 16. Wiens explained that it was an honor to work at LVV and help get it up and going, adding, “Without Jean [Schwarz] this place would not be possible. Without her, it would not be here.”
Schwarz then asked LVV board president, Edna Schmidt, to facilitate the event. Schmidt said, “In my time with LVV I have really been pleased. I’ve grown. Because this is the best staff and board of directors in La Veta. Sheri, you are a wonderful lady And this is a special place. This place isn’t corporate. There are not many like it.”
Schmidt took a moment to praise Schwartz, “When you told me several years ago you wanted to remodel this old place into an assisted living residence, I thought ‘Oh my God!’ But you did it.” A jovial discussion ensued listing the many things the LVV building had been over the years, including a goat cheese factory, a storage facility, an apartment complex, a mechanic shop, and even a farrier shop. It was noted that an LVV auxiliary staff person is writing a history of the facility.
Schmidt then turned to Ingoldby and said, “There are new regs coming and Elisa will be in charge of telling you staff people about them. But I’ll rest my head on my pillow, assured that LVV is in great hands with Elisa.”
With that, the afternoon heard a wide range of comments from the residents. The first to speak was Dick Jameson, who said, “Martha Romero and I were the first two residents here and we appreciate all that Sheri has done.” Looking at Ingoldby, Jameson then told the crowd that one day, when Ingoldby was in training, he took her by the arm and shouted, “Why are you taking this job?!” The crowd laughed. Jameson added that he and the others knew it was a demanding job.
Resident Bonnie Casper pointed to Wiens and added, “I think she is great!” Resident Kaye Wainscott stated, “She [Wiens] has put up with me since day one! She has been good.”
The celebration continued with cake with homemade (in-house) ice cream being served. This reporter took a moment to hear from Ingoldby. She said she wanted the La Veta community to know that she is excited to be part of LVV. She has been in training since April 15. However, Ingoldby brings significant experience with her. “I was the administrator and ran the Trinidad Assisted Living Facility, known as The Legacy, for five years.” But when her husband Robert found that he was finding much more work in La Veta, the couple decided to move to La Veta.
However, the owners of The Legacy wanted their administrator to live closer to the facility in the event there was an emergency. Ingoldby would have to resign.
Ingoldby noted that with such a dedicated staff, a strong board, and an involved hands on auxiliary, she has a lot of support. Plus, Schwarz remains involved. Ingoldby’s first day in charge is May 1.
To share any history of the La Veta Village facility (aka The old Cheese Factory) or for more information on La Veta Village, call 719-742-3510.
