Residents Love Volunteering at Wind Crest's TV Station

Just two months after moving to Wind Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Highlands Ranch, Colo., Charles "Joe" Knox toured the sound booth at CTV, the in-house community TV station. He was so impressed that he immediately offered his support and has been a mainstay ever since.

"I'm constantly learning new things about the soundboard. I also now operate a TV camera, and after they upgraded the lighting system, I began to do that too," he says. "I love to learn!"

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From engaging morning shows to insightful community news, CTV volunteers like Joe help keep neighbors entertained and informed.

Wide variety of shows

NiteSide, which airs in the late afternoon or evening, typically focuses on a single guest or topic.

WindmillNOW! is a daily 10-minute show where resident hosts tell viewers about what's going on in the community that day and provide a brief overview of activities for the rest of the week.

Resident Barbara Penningroth hosts Wind Crest Centenarians, a monthly 30‑minute program spotlighting a resident who has reached age 100 reflecting on a life spanning ten decades.

Residents who like to work out at home can tune into Stay Fit, a series where Wind Crest fitness staff members demonstrate exercises designed to promote health and well-being.

Other programs cover community happenings, such as resident Town Halls, shown live and rebroadcasted; a Martin Luther King, Jr. salute; and the annual July 4th parade.

Interesting interviews

"Java introduces residents or staff members who have had interesting lives or who participate in unique activities," explains staff member and CTV Lead Coordinator Jeff Mattoon. "Like many morning shows, it's fast-paced and features numerous guests."

Resident Vicki Noffsinger is a familiar face, as she hosted Java for eight years. Although she still serves as host from time to time, she has focused her efforts on producing for the last two years.

"As a producer, I'm the person who makes sure that we have people to interview for the shows. Jeff said I would be their 'talent scout,'" she recalls, with a laugh.

With close to 200 clubs and groups that offer residents fun and creative ways to express themselves, Vicki has no problem finding residents to feature. There's something for practically every interest, including pickleball, exercise classes, astronomy, card games, wine tastings, art, musical entertainment, line dancing, water volleyball, and much more.

In addition to finding residents through these clubs and groups, Vicki keeps an eye out for new neighbors who have moved in throughout the community. When Wind Crest's final residence building, Dillon Landing, opened, she left a card asking, "Do you have a story?" at each door.

"People here are so interesting--whether it's because of their hobbies or former careers. I always find great stories," says Vicki.

Sharing stories

Past show subjects include a couple who were deep-sea divers, a "dog handler" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, members of the military, schoolteachers, and, more recently, a woman whose husband helped build the engine for the first spaceship to travel to the moon.

Even Joe, who says he prefers being on the other side of the camera, has agreed to be interviewed with his wife, Alice, because they lived in a motorhome for 14 years.

Join the club!

Vicki notes that anyone interested in supporting CTV doesn't need to have experience because the resident volunteers, Mattoon, and another CTV staff member, Stan Lukowicz, teach newcomers everything they need to know.

Thanks to the increasing number of resident volunteers, CTV plans on adding three more channels by the end of the year, providing even more entertaining and informational programs.

"We're always looking for people to tell us about their life adventures and volunteers to help with the shows or the lights," says Vicki. "We have so much fun here!"

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Michele Wojciechowski