By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Virginia Chenault was 20, she remembers swimming with friends—and on one occasion, skinny-dipping—in a pond on Wind Crest’s property. Today, she can see that pond from the community’s Fly’n B Café.

Chenault became Wind Crest’s 500th resident in November, which is fitting considering she grew up just a stone’s throw from what used to be Johnny and Katie Bowen’s Flying B Ranch. "I knew Johnny Bowen many years ago, but it’s been so long that he probably wouldn’t know me anymore," she says.

Chenault’s family lived in Littleton on the other side of the railroad tracks, but she often spent time at friends’ homes near the Wind Crest property. In addition to Johnny Bowen, she knew some other well-known locals at the time, including the Warings and the Tellers. "My mother and Mrs. Waring were good friends," she says.

For Chenault, having an historical tie to the local land is only part of Wind Crest’s draw. Another plus is that two of her daughters-in-law work at the community’s spa-salon.

"This place was practically made for my mother-in-law, partly because she loves being around people," says Linda Chenault, who has managed the spa-salon since the community’s June 2007 grand opening.

Taking the first step
After months of hearing stories about Linda’s clients and how happy they were at Wind Crest, Virginia Chenault made arrangements to attend one of the community’s luncheons. It all sounded ideal, but in the back of her mind, she wondered whether moving to Wind Crest would be financially feasible. Not wanting to assume she couldn’t move, she met with Retirement Counselor Molly Thorne-Dhieux.

"I’m so glad I did, because they figured out a way to make it happen," she says.

Looking back, Virginia Chenault is grateful she made the move to Wind Crest. Her husband died several years earlier, the grandkids were grown, and she didn’t want her loved ones to spend another winter having to come over with the snowblower.