Summit Springs Village celebrates 30th anniversary

In March of 1994, a group of local citizens completed the long journey of establishing a retirement center in Condon.

Summit Springs Village was established thirty years ago and to commemorate the groundbreaking, the retirement center held a party for the residents and the community on Friday, November 15th.

Director Hanna Bass and staff decorated the center with balloons and a festive spirit was in the air.

A large charcuterie spread and wine greeted the thirty-plus visitors who attended the party, along with Summit Springs residents and staff.

Named after the original town's name – Summit Springs – the retirement community was a game changer for Condon. As the community's aging population grew in the 1990s, establishing a retirement community was vital to the town's well-being.

Summit Springs allowed locals to remain in Condon and live out their years amongst friends and family. Families with aging parents or grandparents could also keep their loved ones nearby, and the establishment of the South Gilliam Health District provided local healthcare.

Instead of being forced to move to retirement centers in The Dalles or other cities, Summit Springs Village offered a chance for hometown folks to remain in Condon.

Some of the pioneers of Summit Springs were in attendance, as was the golden shovel that broke ground 30 years ago.

On the shovel are the names of: Larry Lear, Morris Wilson, Susie Anderson, Van Rietmann, Shirley McDonald, Alma Jean Tipley, Mac Stinchfield, Bill Berray, Cenia Byrd, Laura Pryor, Kay Hassing, and Kay Lear.