Blog

Centennial Committee Story

By Christine Hall

Resident Centennial Committee Convenes In July 2023…What A Journey!

How the Journey Began

In the summer of 2023 a general ask was posted in the weekly resident newsletter to see if any residents would be interested in helping uncover the FTJ history and help with the Centennial project.  Seven residents, Redmond Barnett (chairperson), Claire McCaffery Griffin, Phyllis Gill, Karen Fischer, Pam Baker, Ann Martin and Cora Bock all raised their hands!  They met with the Senior Director of Marketing and PR, Christine Hall, to embark on what was to be a three month journey to discover the remarkable history and amazing stories encompassing a century at Franke Tobey Jones. Both the Committee and Chris read through hundreds of pages of Board meeting minutes dating back to 1921, combed through stacks, boxes and books of newspaper articles and photos, and diligently embraced the FTJ history that is greatly admired. The Resident Centennial Committee also personally interviewed about thirty residents, team members and board members to hear their perspectives and write their stories. By the end of 2023, they had met many times in person and gathered a box of recommended stories for Chris to consider for the Centennial tribute.

The Centennial Book Stories

But, the journey did not end there! As Chris started choosing the final 100 stories for this book, she consulted with Committee members for their comments and feedback regarding the selection of the final 100 stories. Aside from the stories that team members had written, in February 2024, Claire teamed with Chris for many weeks to write nearly half the stories in this book, and Chris wrote the other half.

Centennial Displays

Early in 2024, Redmond started writing the text for eight of 16 large display panels as well as working with Ticore Title Company to better understand the FTJ land purchases over the years… a project in itself!  Meanwhile, Chris and Claire wrote the text for the other eight display panels, and Chris started designing all 16 panels which would be displayed throughout campus starting in Mid-May. Team member Tyler Kaye came on board in April 2024, and researched and assembled an additional six photo easels and six document “flip books” which are also part of the Centennial exhibits.

Centennial Pieces and Parts

In early spring 2024, after all 100 stories were written, Chris used these stories along with the broad time ranges and overarching themes which Redmond created to start working on several Centennial projects including:

• Writing the script for the 43-minute Centennial video to include eleven resident voices which was debuted at the Legacy Circle Luncheon on June 12.
• Writing, selecting images and working with IlluminAge to create the ten-decade timeline for the website.
• Creating a 160-page commemorative book titled “Franke  Tobey Jones ~ 100 Years, 100 Stories.”
• Designing team member badge ribbons and Centennial communication pieces for residents and team members.
• Working with Jay Ray to craft a public relations plan, Centennial ads, van signs, flags for the FTJ front entry and the Centennial book cover.
• Gathering items for the Centennial time capsule.
• Planning the Centennial Spring Tea held on May 22, 2024 in celebration of Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones’ birthday.
• Working with other team members to create the major Centennial event, the Centennial Summer Picnic, which took place on August 2, 2024 with a Roaring 20s theme.
• Posting all 100 stories on the FTJ Facebook page, one story per day, May 22 through August 29
• Implementing a FTJ historic photo caption contest with residents and team members, weekly between May 22 and August 29.
• Working with the City of Tacoma to have them proclaim May 22, 2024 Franke Tobey Jones Day in Tacoma.

Committee Presentation

As part of the FTJ Senior University 2024 Centennial program, the Resident Centennial Committee along with Tyler and Chris hosted a panel discussion in June highlighting their FTJ history journey including how historians uncover  information, what they found, what surprises they encountered, how they pieced together information from various documents to write some of the stories, the research they did to answer many FTJ history-related questions and more. The room was full of interested residents who enjoyed the presentation as well as the showing of the Centennial video.

What started as a three-month project for this Committee ended up being a yearlong journey, and a lot more work than anyone ever expected!

Chris Couldn’t Have Been More Grateful for the Committee!

“The Centennial project and celebration could have never happened without these wonderful, dedicated residents! We were incredibly fortunate to have Redmond as the Chairperson as he, by profession, is a historian. His leadership and guidance were exceptional. Furthermore, having Claire serve on the Committee with her interest in history and her extraordinary research and writing skills has been invaluable! Moreover, Phyllis, a past long-term Board Member and Board Chair, provided priceless insights into the two decades she served FTJ, as no physical records could be found of those years. Pam, Karen, Ann and Cora each delved into a specific aspect of the history to find out details and put some questions and mysteries to rest which was fantastic! And, Tyler, who I asked to come on board in April to help me finish the project, was a Godsend with his research and writing capabilities. Each person’s expertise, work and counsel were treasured. The entire Centennial project has been profoundly meaningful and so enjoyable for me, and I sincerely thank each Centennial Committee member!”  Christine Hall