Deming Way Residents Look Out for One Another

Here in Wilmington one thing that we all seem to take great pride in is our sense of community. For the most part residents are proud of our local culture and work hard to be good neighbors and friends.

Within our community is smaller development which, in many ways, functions as sort of a small community itself. Deming Way, a senior citizen community overseen by the , is currently home to 74 residents. 

Residency is “income based” and, along with privately owned homes, the development features a community room which provides a place for gatherings and activities.

The sense of community and camaraderie, however, is what sets Deming Way apart from many other places. Events range from pot luck suppers and the annual Wilmington Police Patrolman’s Union Thanksgiving Dinner to craft making and, of course, Bingo.

A four person board, the Deming Way Tenants Association, heads up the efforts to constantly improve the area and make sure that everyone has a chance to enjoy themselves. 

Made up of president Leona Bombard, vice president Jean Mazzocca, secretary Jackie Draper and treasurer Mary Schultz, the board meets once a month, oversees fundraising and coordinates many of the activities and events. 

Teamed up with both Got Books and Paper Retriever, the Deming Way Tenants Association not only raises funds for the development but, at the same time, helps keep our environment healthy.

Both Got Books and Paper Retriever offer generous fundraising programs and, in turn, recycle all of the materials that are donated.

Got Books is able to accept books, cd’s, dvd’s and audio books and even vinyl records.  Items that are in good quality are sold to benefit various charities including Books for Teachers  and Books for Troops. Items that are not reusable are recycled and, therefore, kept from ending up in landfills.

Paper Retriever accepts junk mail, newspapers, magazines, catalogs and even office and school papers. They do not, however, accept corrugated cardboard.  Once again, items are recycled and kept out of local landfills.

Donations bins, along with the annual craft fair in December, have helped the The Deming Way Tenants Association make numerous improvements including new mailboxes and an outdoor patio table and umbrella set.

Improvements are always in the game plans and, as Jean Mazzocca pointed out, “We are always a work in progress. We do it because we live here and we love it.”

Seven-year resident Leona Bombard, like Mazzocca, takes pride in being part of this tight knit community. 

“We love each other and we help each other out,” said Bombard.

Jackie Draper, who is one of the newer residents at Deming Way, quickly learned what life at Deming Way is all about.

“I love the friendliness of everyone," said Draper. "We all watch out for one another.”

Judy Connell couldn’t agree more. “I feel safe here, like someone is always there for me." she said. "When you drive down the street it almost looks like a little village and that what I feel like we are.”

For Connel,l a recent incident where she locked herself out of her home proved that, yes indeed, she wasn’t alone.

“I locked myself out of my house on Thanksgiving,” she explained. “One of the other residents suggested that I call the police department and they were here to help me within five minutes. Where else would that happen?”

Members of the Tenants Association and residents alike take pride in their Deming Way Community and look forward to spring when the outdoor decorating begins and flowers their flowers start to bloom. 

Donation bins for Got Books and Paper Retriever are available all year round at 41 Deming Way and benefit the Deming Way development directly.