News

Contact: Jamie Leszczynski

By Vernon A. Tyron, Resident of Springside

Oswego — Twenty-five years ago, a new style of retirement living became available to the people of Oswego County and Central New York. In April of 2000, Springside at Seneca Hill opened its doors to its first residents, and a new branch of Oswego Health began.

The residents and staff of Springside have designated 2025 for Honoring 25 Years of Independent Living and are planning a series of events to celebrate the accomplishment. The first event will be on Thursday, April 3 when the residents and invited guests gather for happy hour 3:30 to 4:30, with dinner at 5:00, and a short program at 5:45. Paul Vandish, pianist, will provide entertainment.

Other events to celebrate the anniversary include Soup Lovers Luncheons on April 9, May 14, September 17, October 15, and November 12, the latter with the Knitting Club’s donation sale of handmade items. On June 11 there will be a Country Carnival and Strawberry Festival, on July 16 a Hot Dog and Ice Cream luncheon, and on August 9 a Car Show featuring Hannibal Cruisers and Yeah Cruisers Car Club with food trucks in conjunction with the Oswego Health Foundation’s 9th Annual For Your Health 5K and Wellness Event on County Route 45A. The public is invited to enjoy these events Honoring 25 Years of Independent Living.

Oswego Health, Inc was established in 1998 as the holding company for Oswego Hospital, the Seneca Hill Health Community, and its affiliates around Oswego County. Oswego Health is a not-for-profit healthcare network providing acute care, surgical services, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, retirement living, primary care, maternity, emergency, and other services to the Greater Oswego County community.

Oswego Hospital bought 137 acres in the Town of Volney for the purpose of building a new hospital to replace those at Oswego and Fulton. When that plan didn’t materialize, it was decided to use the property for what was later named the Heckethorn Health Community. It would be the site of a 120-bed skilled nursing home, an independent living neighborhood, and a medical office and outpatient service facility. The Seneca Hill facilities accounted for more than 200 new, permanent jobs in Oswego County.

Oswego Hospital Board of Directors member and former chairman, Dee C. Heckethorn was a leading proponent for the Seneca Hill project from the beginning. The facilities were intended to provide a continuum of services including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and medical and surgical hospital care. Eventually, assisted living was omitted from the plans because Bishop’s Commons in Oswego began offering services for enriched living.

Corte Spencer came to Oswego as CEO of Oswego Hospital in 1979 and retired 25 years later in 2004 as CEO of Oswego Health and Oswego Hospital, having provided leadership for much of the development of the Seneca Hill facilities. Other administrative leaders during that time included Gail Greenwood, Paul Snyder, and Robert “Mac” McKinstry. Jeff Coakley handled public relations and provided liaison between Oswego Health and the construction contractors. Teresa Ferlito, Oswego Health Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Springside at Seneca Hill, managed the planning and established the values and standards of appearance and service that are still evident today.

According to Springside’s first resident director, Teresa Ferlito, residents of the area could retire to a quality environment, without compromising their desired independence, privacy, and lifestyle and without the burdens of home ownership. The congregate building includes 44 apartments, all on one level without stairs.

Springside was designed to reflect the smaller neighborhoods of Oswego and Fulton for adults 55 and older. Situated on 36 acres midway between Oswego and Fulton, Springside is just minutes from shopping and restaurants and other services of the nearby cities. It is a warm, caring environment with architectural features, services, and support programs designed for independent seniors.

Springside construction began in July 1999. The general contractor of the $3.9 million project was Purcell Construction Corporation. Barber Construction prepared the site, installed the infrastructure (water, sanitation, storm sewers, roads, and foundations) and did the final landscaping. By January 2000, construction was reportedly 70% complete. The congregate building was 52,000 square feet.

In 2000, the Springside Board of Directors included President Pamela Caraccioli, Vice President Betty Norton, Secretary Norris Jones, Treasurer Corte Spencer, Dee C. Heckethorn, Spencer Ludington, Esq., and Dr. Joseph Mather Sr.

Springside’s Design and Décor Committee was chaired by Betty Norton with members Marg Falise and Jim Galvin. According to Teresa Ferlito, the committee’s charge was to look at every detail for the interior starting with selecting wallpaper, paint colors, and carpeting. They were also involved in choosing furniture for the parlor, lounge, activity area, solarium, and dining room, as well as selecting chandeliers and tableware for the dining room.

The first person to move into Springside was Mildred Meeker, a retired teacher from the Minetto Elementary School. She arrived on April 3, 2000. Among other early residents in the congregate building were Elliot Proud, a Sealright retiree and Dorothy Proud, an Oswego City Chamberlain’s Office retiree. He was a WWII Army veteran and she a Navy veteran. They were seeking a residence where they would have fewer responsibilities but still be able to socialize with their neighbors.

Residents began moving into the cottages and duplexes on Deer Ridge in September 2000. The first were Dr. Ralph and Marion Spencer, followed by their next-door neighbors Dr. J. Robert and Muriel Harrison, and across the street neighbors Albert and Helen Pfaff.

The official housewarming celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Springside was held on April 27, 2000. More than 60 community members and leaders, including Assemblywoman Frances Sullivan, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature Floyd Boynton, Oswego Mayor John Gosek, Oswego Health, Inc. Board President Stephen Greene and others joined the residents of Springside as they opened their doors to the public. Oswego Hospital Administrator and CEO Corte Spencer cited the various levels of care and expressed hope of achieving a full continuum of care.

Springside has been led by several directors, including Teresa Ferlito (5/21/1999 — 5/8/2015), Karen Scaff (5/15/2015 — 9/23/2015), Sarah Weigelt (9/23/2015 —1/2018), Kelly Lawton (2018— 2019), Michael Cali (6/14/2019 — 6/17/2024), Dawn Smith (7/15/2024 — 9/2024), and Bryan Jenkins who began (2/17/2025).

Throughout Springside’s existence, the staff and residents have exerted much effort to host a variety of social, entertainment, exercise, and service activities so residents could pursue their interests and remain active in organizations and opportunities of the Central New York region. During its first year of operation, that included a strawberry festival and entertainment by The Spirit of Syracuse, a popular women’s choral group and affiliate of Sweet Adelines International.

In 2000, the Springside Residents Council sponsored a collection of mittens, hats, and scarves for children and adults to be distributed to people in the area who needed them. Members of the public were invited to drop off contributions at Springside to add to the collection. That led to other service projects to keep residents involved in the local community. There were 32 residents at that time.

The tradition of diverse activities continues to the present day with such recent examples as entertainment at dinner on monthly birthday nights, soup lovers luncheons, buying Christmas gifts for children through The Salvation Army, annual donation sale by the Knitting Club of handmade knitted and other goods with the proceeds going to local charities, collecting food for food pantries, Wii bowling on the big screen TV, reading in the library, shuffleboard, puzzles and a host of table games, chair yoga, drum exercise, Mahjongg, diabetic and osteo groups, shopping and dining out trips, bingo, mobile library, Bible study, and various crafts.

Springside at Seneca Hill is a not-for-profit independent living residential community for seniors 55 or older who can take care of all their personal needs but who want to free themselves of the responsibilities of maintaining a house. Fully accessible apartments, duplexes, and cottages are available, along with a variety of services including prepared restaurant-style dinners served by trained staff in the formally appointed dining room where casual attire prevails, housekeeping, laundry, lawn care, emergency call system, snow removal, garages, and maintenance services, depending upon the options chosen. Most residents find it considerably less expensive and much less stress and work than maintaining a private house.

Information is available and tours of Springside may be arranged by calling 315-343-5658 to schedule an appointment.