The Woodlands at Furman

08/27/2025

🥋 Earlier this month, we had the privilege of hosting Coach Joseph Brackett—world champion martial artist, dedicated coach, and son of our CEO, Rick Brackett—for a special martial arts demonstration here at The Woodlands.

Joseph, a 6th Degree Black Belt and Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu, not only competes at the highest level but also trains and mentors students who will join him representing Team USA at the ICO World Championships in Wales this October.

It was an inspiring evening showcasing both his remarkable skill and his heart for teaching the next generation.

08/26/2025

🎒✨ Back to Backpacks!

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our amazing team, our admin staff recently came together to pack dozens of backpacks filled with school supplies for staff children, grades K–12.

It’s just one more way we live out our belief that The Woodlands is not only a Best Place to Work (thank you to the Best of the Upstate Awards!) but also a place where family matters. 💜

We’re proud to support our staff both on the job and beyond: because when their families thrive, our whole community thrives.

📸 Check out our admin team in action below!

08/21/2025

🌟 July Rockstar Award Recipients! 🌟
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Terry Beach, one of our July Rockstar Award winners!

Terry is a steady and compassionate presence in our Assisted Living dining room. Her patience, empathy, and professionalism shine brightest in the moments that matter most, especially when working with residents facing memory challenges. She brings kindness to every interaction and creates a space where residents and families alike feel seen and supported.

We’re so lucky to have Terry on the team. She truly embodies what it means to lead with heart. 💙

Trevor Bachman serves as our Digital Communication and Support Specialist for our community! In addition to managing our social media presence and working with our marketing team to show how wonderful of a place The Woodlands is to live and work, Trevor also assists our residents with a slew of IT issues and tasks. Residents are constantly praising his attention to detail and his ability to make them feel at ease. Trevor is always going above and beyond with whatever project lands in front of him! We are lucky to have him with us!

08/20/2025

Proud to be partnered with such a wonderful institution!

Princeton Review just ranked us:
📚 #16 for professors who bring learning to life
🤝 #25 for friendliest students nationwide
🌱 Top 50 Green Colleges

But what really matters? One student said it best: "My professors have changed my life by supporting me and working with me from academic interests to personal crises."

This is Furman. Where rigor meets relationships. Read more at the link below:

https://www.furman.edu/news/furman-students-professors-shine-in-princeton-review-lists/

08/18/2025

A remarkable beginning to a new partnership!

This weekend, members of The Woodlands Board of Directors and several residents enjoyed an inaugural visit to the Sigal Music Museum, one of Greenville’s most treasured cultural institutions, with an extensive tour graciously provided by the esteemed Dr. John Beckford, Chairman of the Board.

Our group was captivated by the stories and sounds of the museum’s incredible collection. Many attendees shared that it was their first time stepping inside, and they left in awe of the history and artistry preserved within these walls.

We’re proud to partner with such an esteemed organization at the heart of Greenville’s arts community, and we look forward to many more opportunities for our residents to experience the joy and inspiration the Sigal brings.

If you haven’t been yet, the museum is located on the Heritage Green campus and it's well worth a visit!

07/31/2025

Speakeasy: Roarin’ at the Woodlands

Last night, The Woodlands turned back the clock for a one-night-only roaring '20s pop-up speakeasy! With flappers, fedoras, feather boas, and a full jazz set courtesy of William Armstrong (channeling Louis) and Leah Rutherford, the Camellia Room was buzzing like a bee’s knees.

Residents enjoyed classic cocktails, elegant desserts, and a little wink of prohibition-era mischief. If you spot a few photos of folks “smoking,” don’t worry; those were white-chocolate pretzel sticks with Oreo ashtrays. (At least that’s what we told the authorities…)

Big thanks to our Lifestyles and Dining teams for pulling off another unforgettable evening of flair, fun, and flawless ex*****on, with just the right sprinkle of lawlessness.

A reminder that at the Woodlands, fun is never prohibited.

07/24/2025

🎉 Staff Anniversary Luncheon Highlights! 🎉

This week we celebrated some of the incredible team members who have dedicated 3, 5, 10, and even 15 (!) years to The Woodlands at Furman!

Over a delicious meal and great conversation, we honored their hard work, their heart, and their lasting impact. Each honoree received a certificate recognizing their years of service and heartfelt thanks from a community that truly values them.

This kind of celebration is just one of the many ways we make sure our staff are seen, appreciated, and supported. It’s also part of why we were just named Best Place to Work and Best Locally-Owned Business in the 2025 Best of the Upstate Awards (not-so-humble brag).

When your workplace feels like home, and your coworkers feel like family, it’s easy to get up for work in the morning. And some of our honorees have been answering the call since we opened our doors in 2009.

Here’s to the people who make this place exceptional.

07/23/2025

Behind the Curtain with Ronn Carroll 🎭

For over 50 years, Ronn Carroll lived and breathed the stage. From New York to London, in hits, flops, and everything in between, Ronn got to share the stage and backstage with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Now a proud member of The Woodlands community, Ronn recently welcomed fellow residents to a gallery celebrating his remarkable career, featuring posters from some of the many Broadway productions he brought to life.

With each tour through the exhibit, Ronn shared not just memories, but stories of triumphs, misadventures, famous co-stars, and the beautiful unpredictability of a life in the theater. Whether performing alongside legends like Ethel Merman, Cheeta Rivera, or Matthew Broderick, or finding humor in flops like The Best Little Wh******se Goes Public, Ronn’s reflections were full of honesty, heart, and humor.

As Ronn puts it: “Every show, good or bad, you end up with new friends. All I ever had to do for a living was act, and I was lucky that way.”

At The Woodlands, we believe that everyone has a story worth telling and that sharing those stories is what makes this community feel like home. We’re proud to create space for residents to share their passions, life experiences, and hard-won wisdom with one another. It’s what keeps our community thriving, connected, and full of life.

Bravo, Ronn. Take a bow! And thank you for both your endless wit and for reminding us what it means to do what you love.

07/22/2025

Welcoming Our New Director of Wellness: Charmaine Seguro!
We are thrilled to officially welcome Charmaine Seguro as our new Director of Wellness here at The Woodlands! A former Second Lieutenant in the Air Force with a background in Exercise Science, Sports Nutrition, and medical studies, Charmaine brings over a decade of experience in fitness, teaching, and senior wellness.

In just a few short weeks, Charmaine has already made a positive impact, bringing brightness and energy to our community with creative and fun programs like kickboxing for residents (yes, really!). Charmaine is passionate about helping individuals of all ages and abilities build confidence through movement, and she’s committed to making wellness accessible, inclusive, and community-driven - exactly the goal we aim for here at the Woodlands.

Charmaine is excited to expand our wellness offerings and create more ways for residents to stay active in support of their everyday lives.

Fun facts about Charmaine: She loves Muay Thai, just started learning Jiu Jitsu, and enjoys hitting the trails on foot or by bike. Join us in giving Charmaine a warm Woodlands welcome! Marissa is sorely missed, but our Wellness department is in good hands.

07/21/2025

📚✏️ Support Our School Supply Drive Through Friday! 🎒🖍️

As we celebrate being named Best Place to Work in the 2025 Best of the Upstate Community Choice Awards, we’re reminded why: The Woodlands is a community that cares for its residents as well as its team.

This week, we’re asking for your help in supporting our incredible staff by donating school supplies for their children. It’s a small way we can give back to the people who make The Woodlands such a special place.

🗓️ Now through Friday, July 25
📍Drop-off bins are located at Mary Lou’s Café and the Arboretum entrance.
💵 Monetary donations can be made to the Foundation for school supplies.

Suggested supplies include:

Notebooks (spiral & composition)

Folders with pockets

Assignment pads

Crayons, markers, colored pencils

Number 2 pencils & erasers

Glue sticks or glue

Rulers, safety scissors, pencil boxes

Three-ring binders, notebook & graph paper

Facial tissues & hand sanitizer

Book bags, calculators, protractors & compasses

Ink pens

Special thanks to our Director of Human Resources, Katie Robarge, who will be shopping for any remaining items the weekend of July 26–27 to make sure no child goes without.

Let’s show our support for the team behind the magic. ❤️

07/17/2025

🌟 June Rockstar Award Winners 🌟
Please join us in congratulating Randy Weaver and Sean Boyd, our June Rockstar Award recipients!

Randy was recognized for his dedication to maintaining a clean and efficient waste management system. His attention to detail and willingness to collaborate have made a real difference, especially to those who notice the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly.

Sean was nominated for his warmth, helpfulness, and initiative across so many aspects of the Lifestyles team, from Club Berlam, to event setup, to bus trips, and beyond. Always smiling, always asking how he can help, Sean embodies what it means to show up with heart.

Thank you, Randy and Sean, for being part of what makes The Woodlands such a welcoming and well-cared-for community! 💙

07/16/2025

🏆 We did it! 🏆

The Woodlands at Furman is proud to announce that we’ve been named Best Locally Owned Business and Best Place to Work in the 2025 Best of the Upstate Community Choice Awards!

These honors are a direct reflection of the incredible people who make this community what it is. Our dedicated team members show up every day with compassion, purpose, and excellence, and we could not be prouder to have their hard work and sacrifices recognized on the largest stage possible.

We especially want to thank Katie Robarge (Director of HR) and Lauren Miller (Talent Acquisition and Management) for their tireless work recruiting, supporting, and celebrating the remarkable individuals who make The Woodlands feel like home.

Thank you to everyone who voted and a HUGE thank you to our team, who make this the Best Place to Work in more ways than one. 💚

📸 See highlights from the awards gala here:
https://www.greenvilleonline.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/07/16/see-who-won-photos-from-greenville-news-2025-communitys-choice-awards/85227916007/