Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community

06/01/2026

Last week, Deerfield residents enjoyed two trips to Marshall, NC for lunch and time exploring the town. It was wonderful to support local businesses and see firsthand the strength and progress of this resilient community as it continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.

05/31/2026

Yesterday, Deerfield residents enjoyed a beautiful day at the Cold Mountain Music Festival at Lake Logan in Canton, NC. From a naturalist-guided hike to VIP seating with refreshments, great music, and mountain views, it was a wonderful day of fun, fellowship, and fresh air.

05/29/2026

📌 Foundation Friday

Rain or shine… this was a moment worth celebrating!

A week ago today, we gathered (umbrellas in hand!) for a rainy-day lunch and key passing with Habitat for Humanity, and what a meaningful moment it was.

We’re proud to have sponsored an Aging in Place home for Janna, helping ensure her home is safe, accessible, and designed for the future. Our Foundation works to create opportunities for people to live independently with flexibility and choice in the context of community. Foundation board member and Deerfield resident, Tim Kurtz, was honored to pass Janna the key as she became a homeowner for the very first time.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

📌Foundation Friday

Deerfield is thrilled to support Calvary Episcopal Food Pantry with the gift of a permanent generator! Our foundation has supported this local treasure over the years, with an initial investment in their capital project, operational support, a hoop house and now this. The Deerfield residents who volunteer every Saturday are passionate advocates for the work of the pantry, and we are delighted to come alongside them with this crucial funding.

With this gift, there’s no longer a concern about food spoiling during power outages, helping ensure fresh produce, eggs, milk and other nutritional food remains available for those who need it. The pantry is open every Saturday to anyone in need, no matter what.

05/22/2026

Michelle Wooley, Executive Director of the Deerfield Charitable Foundation, shepherds philanthropic work with commitment, heart and care. Deerfield is proud of all that DCF accomplishes under Michelle’s leadership and applauds this new opportunity for her to contribute as a Foundation Trustee for LeadingAge North Carolina!

Please join us in welcoming the new Trustees to the LeadingAge North Carolina Foundation Board serving an initial two-year term. Those Trustees are:

➡️ Laura McDaniel who currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, NC. Prior to joining Twin Lakes 14 years ago, Laura worked with a variety of mission-driven organizations in nonprofit service and philanthropy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Sewanee: The University of the South, along with certificates in Nonprofit Management and Healthcare Management from Duke University and East Carolina University. She is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in North Carolina.

➡️ Michelle Wooley is honored to have helped establish and now lead the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Charitable Foundation in Asheville. When she came to Deerfield in 2017, she discovered a new passion – connecting people and their resources with stories and causes that inspire personal engagement. Her leadership and a collaboration with Holleran in 2024 resulted in a Community Engagement Needs Assessment focused on aging services in Buncombe County, which has informed and expanded Deerfield's strategic partnerships and investments in the greater community.

➡️ In addition, we celebrate the return of Anita L. Holt, recently retired from The Forest at Duke Continuing Care Retirement Community in Durham.

The LeadingAge North Carolina Foundation is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) organization whose sole mission is to support LeadingAge North Carolina.

05/19/2026

Thank you A-B Tech for helping us CELEBRATE Casey Daughton's 100th birthday! What a beautiful day it was and the part you played made it extra special! And thank you to Kristin D'Agostino for the video, too.

05/19/2026

At Deerfield, great stories bring people together. As a 2026 sponsor of the Our State Magazine Book Club, residents are gathering each month to read, listen, and connect. If you’re a reader, we’d love for you to join in on the fun! You can listen in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

Join New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state each month.

05/15/2026

📌Foundation Friday!

Residents recently enjoyed a meaningful and memorable evening with master storyteller and author Gareth Higgins. Spiritual Life and our Foundation co-sponsored the evening, and we were honored to hear firsthand insights and inspiration from his book How Not to Be Afraid.

Growing up in Ireland, during the troubles, his engaging storytelling style and thoughtful perspective create space for reflection, connection, and encouragement. With quick wit and stunning transparency, Gareth makes even the most difficult topics approachable. His book is available on Amazon and is a must-read for anyone seeking hope and courage in uncertain times.

05/13/2026

A group of our Deerfield artists enjoyed an art outing at Arrowhead Gallery in Old Fort, where they painted “Big, Bold, Beautiful Blooms!” with beloved instructor Dawn Dreibus, followed by a fun lunch at Hillman Beer. A great day of creativity and togetherness!