http://montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/10/07/ambler_gazette/news/doc4e8cb5d2e1c1e592987871.prt
Friday, October 7, 2011 - By Thomas Celona
A local retirement community marked a major milestone last week, as Gwynedd Estates celebrated its 35th anniversary.
Residents, staff, administrators and area officials gathered at Gwynedd Estates, located at 301 Norristown Road, Ambler, for a celebratory dinner Sept. 28.
Founded in 1976, Gwynedd Estates is an ACTS Retirement-Life Community that currently has approximately 150 residents, according to an ACTS spokesman. Gwynedd Estates is the second oldest among ACTS' network of 23 communities across eight states, being founded after only Fort Washington Estates, which was created in 1972.
During the dinner, several officials congratulated Gwynedd Estates for its work and involvement in the community during the past 35 years.
Ronald Barth, president and CEO of LeadingAgePA, a nonprofit organization that helps the growth and development of senior communities, presented a presidential citation to recognize the anniversary. As he presented the citation, Barth said Gwynedd Estates and ACTS communities are a model of what aging services in Pennsylvania should be.
Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Brandt presented Gwynedd Estates with a proclamation that noted the community's dedication to providing a good quality of life for aging residents and to bringing jobs to the township.
"For 35 years, Gwynedd Estates has fulfilled the needs of the community by providing health care, housing and spiritual well-being for its residents," Brandt read from the proclamation, in which the township saluted "ACTS and Gwynedd Estates for their many years of service to the community and the betterment of the quality of life in Lower Gwynedd."
Marvin Mashner, president of ACTS, also praised Gwynedd Estates for achieving such a milestone and reminded those in attendance of the importance of the community.
"Rather than look at everything that's transpired since, I'd like to take a few minutes to recognize how we got here and why," he said. "I think we owe a debt of gratitude to those from 35 years ago — maybe even 36, 37 years — as this community was contemplated. ... You have to remember that 35 years ago, this type of community wasn't that common.
"Gwynedd Estates is also noteworthy because it made ACTS what it is today," he said. "It was the community that took ACTS from being a single-community operation to what's now called a multi-facility operation."
Mashner also said the strong bonds among residents and staff have been a key to the community's longevity and success.
"We're so grateful that Gwynedd Estates continues to be a vital part of ACTS Retirement-Life Communities," he said. "This organization has grown certainly, but it's only possible because of what emanated from here."
State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-151, also attended the event.