Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Longtime Kimballite Judy Perry is the newest executive director of Park Terrace and Vista Villa, where her main office is located.
Longtime Kimball resident Judy Perry is the new executive director of both Vista Villa and Park Terrace living facilities. Perry was hired for the position in September 2014.
Perry, who grew up in nearby Lodgepole, met her husband, Dan, in college. She moved to Kimball with him 34 years ago.
The Perrys raised their three daughters, Amber, Jennifer and Danielle, in Kimball, though each of them has moved away now.
Amber, an athletic trainer at a high school, lives with her husband and twin two-year-old boys in Lexington.
Jennifer married and is now an alternative education teacher in Ogallala.
Danielle is finishing her graduate studies in Salt Lake City, Utah. When she completes school, she will be a registered dietician.
In addition to raising their children and farming, Perry worked outside their home and ran a business while their children grew.
"I cleaned houses for 21 years, ran my own business," Perry said. "My body told me it was time to slow down on that."
Perry said that running her own business for so long gave her the organizational skills needed to do well in her new role.
Both Vista Villa and Park Terrace are independent living facilities that fall under the Kimball Housing Authority, but that is where their similarities end.
Perry has her hands full directing the facilities and it is not something she has done before, which includes everything from paperwork to personnel.
"I do all the office work (for both facilities) and try to organize employees. There's hiring the employees," Perry said. "I have learned as I go. It is a completely new experience."
Perry said her favorite part of the job is interacting with all of the different people. Paperwork is her least favorite duty, although she said she learns something new each day.
"I'm not used to being the boss," Perry said. "I am liking it more and more all the time. I love people, and I worked with older people pretty much all the time. I enjoy doing that."
Perry said that the residents at Vista Villa are fun and they love to see one another.
"Everybody is always so happy here. It's a nice, relaxed life and you can get as involved as you want to, but you don't have to," Perry said. "I just like to listen to them and try to please them and I guess that's about it. I try to make their life easier. I just try to make sure all the rooms are ready to rent and show people around."
Vista Villa, which has about 10 employees, has a cafeteria where residents meet, as well as a recreation room with a billiards table and exercise machines.
Park Terrace shares the maintenance crew with Vista Villa, but otherwise has no employees. The residents at Park Terrace also have a community room.
Park Terrace is a HUD facility which is income-based and residents must qualify by being at least 62 years old or by being disabled.
Perry does not have to write grants for funding for either facility, as Vista Villa operates on the income that comes in from residents.
Vista Villa has no such qualifications, and is open to any self-sufficient adult aged 18 or older. No children are allowed.
"There is a common misconception that this (Vista Villa) is the first step before the manor," Perry said. "That is not at all the case."
In addition to work, Perry remains busy with her family.
"We do a lot of church activities. I have a couple grandsons, so I like to be with family a lot. That's about all, church and work. I don't have time for anything else," Perry said. "My husband works as a salesman for John Deere in Cheyenne and he helps various farmers around the community with harvest and different things."
