Archive: Around Town

The Woodsedge retirement facility was fairly bursting at the seams Saturday as people crowded into the dining room to celebrate the facility's 25th anniversary, as well as to dedicate the new Robert C. Baker Memorial  Garden.  Baker was a founding member and the first president of the Lansing Housing Authority from 1977 to the time of his death in 2006, and a prime mover in getting Woodsedge built.  "We don't need a garden to remind us of Bob -- it's in our hearts," said retire pastor and Woodsedge resident David Braid.  "But we trust as people come to see it we can tell the story of what Bob Baker means to us.  So let's have a little prayer that we might have taken something from the life of Bob Baker and translate it into the rest of our lives."

The dining room wasn't big enough to hold everyone, including residents, Lansing Housing Authority and Lansing Older Adult Program officials, family, friends, and well-wishers.  Town officials and candidates included Supervisor Steve Farkas as well as his opponent Scott Pinney, and Council members Connie Wilcox and Marty Christopher.  The facility was open for tours, and two enormous cakes celebrated the anniversary and the garden.

Wilcox recognized the Woodsedge staff, and especially the Housing Authority members including President and Treasurer George Gesslein, Vice President David Stoyell, Secretary Connie Conlon, and board members Barbara Bills, Betty Brake, Ed LaVigne, and Susan Mehr.  "But one of the largest success factors is the board of the Lansing Housing Authority," Wilcox said.  "That's who I would like to recognize today, because I don't think they get enough recognition.  Having sat in on their meetings it is evident how important this facility and the residents are to them.  They're not just figureheads appointed by the Town.  They take a real vested interest in serving on the board.  They go out of their way to see that the residents' needs are met and that they are included in decisions concerning their home."


Many representatives of the Baker family were present, including son Dale and his wife Maureen, daughter Reenie and husband Jeff Sandsted, daughter Karen Applebee with husband Jodie, and daughter Jo.  "Our family does appreciate this very much, and I think it's a wonderful tribute," said Baker's wife Jackie.  "Bob loved many things.  He loved his family and he loved Lansing and he loved Cornell.  He loved his barbecue chicken.  One of the top things was Woodsedge.  He did put a lot into it, but he had great returns of pleasure from it.  We all want to thank you for doing this."


Gesslein presided over the event, encouraging people to take the facility tour and to walk through the garden.  Located on the south side of Woodsedge, the garden is defined by a concrete walkway that has been etched to look like bricks, making a beautiful walking area that is sturdier for elder residents than real bricks would be.  A large memorial stone is placed at one end commemorating Baker.  Two arbors were ready to be placed at the entry points to the garden, and Gesslein said some large trees would be planted within a week or so.  The garden will be planted with flowers next Spring.  "The garden is a process," he noted.  "What you see out there is the beginning of a process."

He read tributes to Baker and Mitchell that Connie Conlon had written for the event program.  "Bob led by example," he read.  "And being led that way was a pleasure.  We owe Bob and our collective memory of him, a debt of gratitude for this, and for all his many skills brought to the community."


A plaque was also placed on the existing pavilion in honor of Robert D. Mitchell, Jr., who built it for his eagle scout project in 1998.  "The pavilion is very nice, and when we planned the Baker Memorial Garden it seemed appropriate that the pavilion should be part of that garden," Gesslein said.  "It provides shelter, it is very well built, and it is in the perfect location.  We have put a plaque on the pavilion to let people know who built it."

Candidates Marty Christopher (left) and Scott Pinney are part of the overflow crowd outside the dining hall

"Being a resident is a happy experience here," Braid told the crowd.  "I trust that what we have witnessed in Bob and others will inspire us to live in such a way as to be missed when we are gone.  Not everybody lives that way.  A legacy doesn't necessarily have to be a big bank account.  We miss Bob because he did so much for us and we are thankful and appreciative of everything that is done."

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