‘Everything is a lot easier’

BUSINESS PROFILE: Windmill Ponds, Alexandria

Joyful, worry-free, and safe living at Windmill Ponds

By Julie Parent

Shirley Jacobs said we “Can’t get along without Chris” Mattson who has been the activities director for approximately 15 years. Photo by Julie Parent  

When you walk into Windmill Ponds, you won’t want to leave. The inviting atmosphere inside is warm and welcoming, and outside, the quiet neighborhood setting near Lake Connie is a peaceful place to relax and watch animals including deer, rabbits, squirrels and birds all year long. 

Windmill Ponds is a senior living community that offers various levels of care -- assisted living, memory care, care suites, and independence plus living. It has 65 apartments with several floor plans to pick from. Detached garages are available and there is an elevator. 

Appointments can be made to go to the hair salon and to relax in a whirlpool bath. When staying overnight, visitors have the option to reserve on-site guest accommodation for $100 per night. And pets are welcome.

Unless residents want private time in their apartments, there is no reason to feel alone at Windmill Ponds. Full-time Activity Director Chris Mattson plans fun things to do every day. He enjoys going to work, because every day is different. Residents like to play bingo and friendly card games, do simulation bowling, put jigsaw puzzles together, and eat popcorn while watching movies. There are morning stretch classes and times to do Creative Coloring or other crafts. Church services for different denominations and Bible studies are offered. A bookmobile stops at the facility regularly. Chris also plans special events and entertainment, like Wine and Ale with live music. In the summer, residents can take a pontoon ride on a lake organized by the local Let’s Go Fishing group. During a classic car show at Windmill Ponds in 2025, one of the residents was thrilled to see his son pull up in his prized Ford Model T.

Chris, who has a background in interior design, said he goes overboard decorating for the holidays. He brings in elegant tablecloths, cloth napkins, and fancy crystal to make parties fun. During COVID when everyone had to shelter in place, he printed out a daily newsletter to keep the residents connected. They liked it so much, he has continued to distribute it. 

Right: Mary Powell visits her mother Margaret “Peggy” Cremers daily at the Windmill Ponds Memory Care and Care Suites. 

Chris is also willing to do some big-box store shopping for the residents. 

Some of Chris’ family members have also worked or lived at Windmill Ponds. Sales and Community Marketing Manager Ryan Mikkelson said long-term employee “Chris has had a great relationship with the residents.”

Another staff member, Sarah Curtis, who assists residents with their care said, “I love doing what I do. It’s my passion, not a job.”

Safety is a priority at Windmill Ponds. The building is secure. There are lights on the steps for people with macular degeneration. The bathrooms have walk-in showers and grab bars. In addition, they use an emergency wearable watch system instead of the pendant style commonly worn. The watch system works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can press a button on the face of the watch if they need help. The watch has many other features, too. It can pinpoint where a person is who needs help. If an infectious disease breaks out, the watch can indicate which people have been in contact so everyone in the building doesn’t have to be isolated. It can track how many times a resident uses the bathroom indicating a possible urinary tract infection. It can also detect falls. When Sue Alfaro slipped getting up to answer the phone, she was surprised three staff members came instantly to check on her.

“I never thought that would be part of it,” she said.

Many residents are happy to call Windmill Ponds their home. Vergene Henning raved about the food. Although meals are served at designated times in the dining room, residents can order what appeals to them from the kitchen between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or choose to cook in their own apartment. For example, if Vergene doesn’t want to cook or have a particular entrée on the menu, like beef tips, chicken, or ham, she can order a hamburger or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Dennis Lyngen said Windmill Ponds Memory Care and Care Suites is “The place to be when you need it.” Photos by Julie Parent  

“There is no shortage of food here,” she said. Everything she needs is at Windmill Ponds. She can send and receive mail there. When it is time to cut her toenails, someone comes to her apartment to clip them. She also enjoys going on the bus trips, because she can easily take her walker with her.

Audrey Ley said she gave her adult children a gift when she moved into Windmill Ponds.

“I wanted them to be able to travel without worrying about me,” she said.

Shirley Jacobs’ sister lives in the same building on a different floor.

A couple who has been married for over 65 years and wished to remain anonymous agreed that at Windmill Ponds “everything is a lot easier.” They were glad they no longer had to worry about shoveling snow and their apartment was big enough to accommodate a necessary wheelchair.

In addition to assisted living, Windmill Ponds provides memory care in the former Diamond Willow building which is located close by. The recently acquired building has a backyard with a fence, an outdoor patio for dining, and a piano residents can play.

Above: Special events for assisted living residents are held frequently in the dining room at Windmill Ponds in Alexandria.  Photos by Julie Parent

Dennis Lyngen taught marketing classes at the Alexandria Technical & Community College for 29 years. He is happy he and his wife Martha can be there together.

After looking for a place that would meet her mother, Margaret “Peggy” Cremers’ specific needs, Mary Powell said this is the “perfect place for her.”

Ryan said there are advantages to living in either building. Both are perfectly sized, because you don’t have to walk a long distance, and everyone respects and cares about each other. The organization is a nonprofit, so all the proceeds go directly back into the facilities. The buildings are the residents’ home, not an institution. Most importantly, the staff provides compassionate care in a joy-filled environment.

Windmill Ponds, located at 715 Victor Street in Alexandria, and is one of 11 Vista Prairie senior living communities in the tri-state area. For more information about Windmill Ponds, please visit vistaprairie.org/senior-living-mn-alexandria-victor-st or call 320-759-2132.

This is a paid business profile. If you would like to learn more about promoting your business in the Sr. Perspective with a business profile, call Jim at 320-334-3344.