At 88, Colonel Winnick walks a bit gingerly with the help of a cane — but he hasn’t lost a step in sharing his quick wit and positive personality with his fellow participants at The Little Red House in the heart of Spring Lake Village.
“Everyone needs a little companionship and camaraderie,” says Winnick, a retired dentist from Norton Shores who drives himself to The Little Red House three days a week. “This is a wonderful place to come to and enjoy the day. The staff here is exceptional. The meals are delicious. And it’s all reasonable, affordable and a great value.”
The Little Red House, which nearly tripled its size in a recent expansion, is a nonprofit adult day care serving residents of Ottawa and Muskegon counties in a home-like environment. It welcomes participants for an hour or two, a morning, an afternoon, or an entire day, from one to five days a week.
At only $14 per hour, The Little Red House costs about half the rate of many home health care options — and offers skilled, professional staff and thoughtfully organized activities that promote healthy socialization for participants.
“As old as I am, I’m still learning something different every time I come here,” says Winnick. “We play games, we sing, we exercise, we enjoy meals together. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people here and I consider them friends.”
Winnick grew up in Muskegon Heights and served in the U.S. Navy (“I was the only Colonel in the Navy,” he notes), before beginning his 47-year career in dentistry. “That’s a long time to be looking down in the mouth,” he says with a twinkle in his eye and a dazzling smile.
He’s found his happy place at The Little Red House.