The Westminster Canterbury Tales

In the first episode of the newly renamed Tell Me Your Story, hosts Ben Frazier and resident co-host Sue Cunningham welcome Reverend Dr. Richard Keever, former pastor of Bayside Presbyterian Church and former chaplain at Westminster-Canterbury. Dick reflects on his journey from a small North Carolina town to the ministry, sharing stories about his calling, theological education, and decades of serving others. Along the way, the conversation explores the importance of listening, the power of simply being present during life's most difficult moments, the changing role of the church in a technology-driven world, and how faith continues to provide meaning amid distraction and uncertainty. Dick also discusses life as a resident and leader at Westminster-Canterbury, offering thoughtful advice on planning for the future, servant leadership, and discovering one's purpose. It's a warm and insightful conversation about faith, service, and the enduring value of human connection.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser talks with Dr. Bill Peterson, a retired pediatric anesthesiologist whose life has been marked by medicine, family, and resilience. Born in Milwaukee while his father served overseas in World War II, Bill grew up in Illinois before pursuing medical training that took him across the country—from Chicago to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, and finally Virginia Beach. He shares stories of raising four children (and now twelve grandchildren), navigating the challenges of medicine, and facing the harrowing moments of pediatric anesthesiology. Bill also opens up about a house fire that tested his family’s strength, his love of travel, and the humorous, sometimes perilous adventures of youth. With warmth and candor, Bill reflects on a life of service, perseverance, and the joys of family.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser sits down with Westminster-Canterbury Early Advantage Resident Neil Helm for a remarkable journey through a life shaped by resilience, faith, and innovation. From growing up during the Dust Bowl and surviving a near-death experience at age five, to serving in the Army during the dawn of the space age and later helping pioneer satellite communications, Neil’s story is one of vision and perseverance. He recounts his work tracking Sputnik, his pivotal role at COMSAT, and groundbreaking contributions to disaster response, telehealth, and maritime communications. With humor, humility, and a storyteller’s gift, Neil reflects on the personal and spiritual moments that guided his path—from a childhood encounter with God to building technologies that connected people across the world.

Tell Me a Story: Laura DunaventIn this deeply personal episode of Tell Me a Story, host Ben Fraser sits down with Laura Dunavent, a resident of Opus Select, a sister community to Westminster Canterbury. Laura candidly reflects on her early years—from her childhood in Kentucky to a challenging family life marked by instability, betrayal, and resilience. As she traces her journey through trauma, healing, and eventually a career in nursing and advocacy for homeless veterans, Laura offers listeners a powerful narrative of perseverance.Laura also shares the inspiration behind her forthcoming memoir, As Dark As It Gets, a raw and faith-anchored account of surviving family trauma and finding strength through service and spirituality.⚠️ Listener Discretion Advised: This episode contains sensitive subject matter, including family conflict and emotional hardship, which may be distressing to some audiences.

Guided Meditation with Sarah McClure

In this episode of "Tell Me a Story with Ben Fraser," Ben Fraser interviews Michael Pawlukiewicz, a resident of Westminster-Canterbury, about his lifelong interest in birds. Michael shares stories from his childhood in Brooklyn, his time in the Coast Guard exploring the Pacific Ocean, and his career as a biologist and urban planner. The conversation delves into Michael's experiences with birding, starting from a young age where he hunted birds to his later appreciation and fascination with them.Michael discusses the diversity of bird species, both globally and locally in the Hampton Roads area, emphasizing the importance of observing nature with binoculars and taking the time to truly see the birds around us. He recounts his early birding experiences in college, where he learned about various seabirds and waterfowl. He also shares anecdotes from his time in the Coast Guard, encountering albatrosses and storm petrels in the middle of the Pacific.The conversation touches on bird migration, the concept of "seagulls" versus specific gull species, and the challenges birds face due to habitat destruction and development. Michael provides advice for those interested in getting started with birding, recommending bird feeders, binoculars, and getting out into nature. He also shares a story about a "Big Bird Day" fundraiser for a church organ where they identified 70 species of birds in a single day.The episode also features Adrian Fisher, who joins the conversation and shares his own birding experiences, including seeing an Osprey building a nest. The discussion covers various bird topics, from flightless ducks to owls, and the importance of wetlands for bird habitats. Michael also mentions the recent official designation of the American bald eagle as the national bird in December 2024. Overall, the episode is a delightful exploration of the world of birds and the joy of observing nature.Sources

Tell Me a Story - Inside the Life of an FBI Agent: John Tamm's StoryJoin us for another captivating episode in the Westminster-Canterbury Tales Podcast as part of the "Tell Me a Story" series with Ben Fraser. In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary life of John Tamm, a resident of Westminster Canterbury and a former FBI agent. John takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, from investigating labor racketeering and organized crime tied to the Mafia to handling high-profile armed robbery cases.He shares firsthand accounts of his work with the 9/11 Commission, unraveling the timeline behind one of history's most devastating events, and reflects on the challenges and triumphs of a life dedicated to justice. Packed with fascinating stories and historical insights, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the world of federal law enforcement and national security.

In this episode of the Westminster Canterbury Tales Podcast, Senior VP of Health and Innovation Tori Crenshaw hosts Beth Tan and Zella Byrd from Align Senior Care to discuss the tailored Medicare Advantage program available to residents at Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay. The conversation highlights the program’s unique benefits, including personalized care, on-campus access to medical services, and coverage for essential health items and treatments. The episode emphasizes the program’s focus on reducing hospitalizations, improving quality of life, and supporting residents through seamless coordination between care teams, families, and Align Senior Care. For those interested, contact details for further information and assistance are provided.

In this heartwarming episode of Westminster Canterbury Tales, we sit down with Maxie Cannon as he shares his rich life experiences growing up in Richmond, navigating racial challenges, and building a career that spans corporate social responsibility, marketing, and non-profit leadership. Maxie reflects on family, overcoming adversity, and his passion for community building, including his efforts to foster diversity and equity through the Sacred Ground program at Westminster. Tune in for inspiring stories of perseverance and purpose.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ben Fraser sits down with Penny Haws, a passionate author and historian, to discuss her journey in preserving local history, her inspirations for storytelling, and the importance of capturing community memories for future generations. Tune in to hear how Penny brings the past to life through her engaging narratives and learn what drives her love for storytelling.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ardell McCoy, a resident of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, shares a captivating narrative. She reminisces about her early life, her journey to the west coast, and the myriad destinations she has explored throughout her lifetime. Ultimately settling at Westminster-Canterbury, Ardell also reflects on her involvement in the Diversity Committee.

Check out this special episode of the Westminster-Canterbury Tales in which Ellen Duckworth, Sales Manager at Westminster-Canterbury, sits down with the Chair of the Westminster-Canterbury Board of Trustees, Lisa Smith.

In this episode of "Tell Me a Story", Dr. Benson Fraser sits down with Westminster-Canterbury Resident Beverly Foote as they discuss her early educational years and how that transformed her into become an author, and the path of her life along the way.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, host Elizabeth Hines sit's down with Senior Options and WC at Home President, Joan Punch and discusses how she achieved her position in leadership at Senior Options and WC at Home and discusses how to build a strong foundation.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, Host Elizabeth Hines sits down and talks with Westminster-Canterbury on the Bay's Chief Executive Officer, Ben Unkle about his path to working in senior living communities and one of his most important aspects of leadership, accountability.

January is International "Quality of Life" Month, and in this Episode of Navigating Through the Weeds, Dr. Alexandria focuses on this very idea of quality of life.

In this episode of "Navigating Through the Weeds", Dr. Alexandria Hill is asked about her own self and answers questions to illustrate the things that motivate her in her life.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, Westminster-Canterbury's Senior Director of Information Technology Ed Lawson sits down with host Elizabeth Hines and discusses the ingredients of innovation and how to successfully navigate a changing work environment.

In this special episode of the Westminster Canterbury Tales, Ruby Ann Pritchett recalls her memories surrounding the attacks on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7th, 1941 as a young girl living on the island.

In this episode of Cannability Consulting Podcast, Dr. Tori Crenshaw and Dr. Alexandria Hill sit down to take your questions about Cannability and issues regarding the use of cannabis in an Ask Me Anything episode.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, host Elizabeth Hines sits down with Chief Financial Officer of Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, David Myers and discusses things he's working towards in his career, how he handles the stresses of his position, and why financials come first.

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, we sit down with Westminster-Canterbury's Senior VP of Health & Innovation, Victoria Crenshaw as she talks about focusing on self-development.

Dr. Alexandria Hill and Dr. Victoria Crenshaw kick off the inaugural episode of  Cannability Consulting's podcast by introducing the mission, services, and history of Cannability Consulting.  Cannability Consulting offers a range of educational, consultation, care navigation, and community outreach services related to wellness, the human endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoids. We aim to empower individuals and healthcare providers with awareness, literacy, and safety to holistically optimize the human endocannabinoid system. We use evidence-based literature to guide our dissemination efforts and abide by state and federal laws. Specifically, we offer education and consultation services to help individuals understand the benefits and risks of using cannabinoids for various health conditions. We also provide care navigation services to help individuals access appropriate providers and products. Additionally, we participate in community outreach and advocacy to bring awareness to such an important, emerging safety topic. Learn more about Cannability Consulting and follow them on social media: www.cannability.com www.instagram.com/canna.bility www.facebook.com/cannabilityconsulting

In this episode of Lessons in Leadership, host Elizabeth Hines sits down with Vice President of Real Estate Development and General Services for Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, Mark Borst and discusses how he handles juggling the vast array of responsibilities that he is in charge of.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ben Fraser sits down with Westminster-Canterbury Resident Janet Pawlukiewicz and listens as she recounts her memories of a long standing and iconic Brooklyn, NY restaurant and her family's involvement running it as well as her efforts to promote the healthy ecological footprint of her community.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Dr. Benson Fraser sits down with Westminster-Canterbury Resident Phillip Haug.

In this third episode of Lessons in Leadership, Brenda Rosecrans, the Senior Director of Human Resources at Westminster-Canterbury, sits down with Abby Beckwith and discusses her role in leadership at Westminster-Canterbury and where she sees that role take her into the future. She also discusses why Westminster-Canterbury is so unique when it comes to wonderful places to work at.

In this special episode of the Westminster-Canterbury Tales, Westminster-Canterbury Sales Manager sits down with radio show and podcast host Ray White as he recounts the many interviews he conducted with the world's best Rock musicians, from Micky Dolenz to Gary U.S. Bonds.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ben Fraser sits down with Dr. Lourdes Little as she recounts her memories of the Japanese invasion of her town in the Philippines during World War 2, the experiences that led to her becoming a doctor, and how she met her husband.

In this episode of Tell me a Story, Ben Fraser sits down with Westminster Canterbury on the Bay resident Lola McCracken-Gordon as she recounts the many accomplishments of her life and her relationship with her husband.

In this Episode of Tell Me a Story, Dr. Benson Fraser sits down with Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay resident Dick Hanna to discuss his early years in the Naval Academy to his time in public education.

In this second episode of Lessons in Leadership, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay's Vice President of Marketing and Development Ashley Allman sits down with Abby Beckwith and discusses a myriad of topics including how she came to be in her role at WC and what she would love to be an expert in.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Dr. Benson Fraser sits down with Westminster Canterbury resident Dr. Rosemarie Hughes and shares how having a special needs child shaped her career.

In this episode of the Westminster Canterbury Tales, Aquatics and Fitness Instructors Cheryl Justice and Janet Turner discuss body positivity with host Abby Beckwith.

In this first episode of Lessons in Leadership, Tim Tivvis sits down with Jackie James to discuss his approach to leadership in his role as Executive Director and Vice President of Campus Operations for Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Dr. Ben Fraser sits down with Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay resident Dr. Henry Watts as he tells the story of his upbringing, his family, and his career in the railway industry.

In this episode of Tell Me a Story, Ben Fraser sits down with his friend and Westminster-Canterbury Resident Stuart Gordon. Stuart discusses his time as a lawyer, his involvement in politics, his life abroad, and his philanthropy at home.

Westminster Canterbury Resident, Eve McGrory reads an essay written by her late friend and former leader of the Westminster Canterbury Writers' Group Dorothy Goodwin, known to her friends as "Dot". In this essay, Dot recalls how her simple Polaroid camera brought joy to many people during a turbulent time.

In her essay reading, Westminster Canterbury resident Dottie Seward recalls when a call to LL Bean turned into a gesture that will forever live on in her memory

In this writing essay, Westminster Canterbury Resident Jean Bowerman recalls an incident where she learned the hard way that one of the best parts of Christmas is the anticipation and moment of surprise that comes with opening gifts on Christmas Morning.

In her writing essay, Westminster Canterbury resident Jan Warren recalls her youthful skills as a Christmas snoop and how those experiences translated into being able to thwart her own children's snoopiness.

Most people view the start of the Christmas Season as Thanksgiving. In this essay, Westminster Canterbury on the Bay resident Mike Jennette recalls his fondest memories of the Holiday dedicated to giving thanks for all our blessings.

Tony Andrew, a resident at Westminster-Canterbury On the Bay's sister community Opus Select, sits down with Benson Fraser and recalls his experiences all over the world as a result of his work as an electronics engineer. His exposure to many different cultures from the jungles of Africa, the Middle East, and most of Europe helped shape his worldview today.

WC Resident Beverly Foote reads her essay where she recalls the greatest Christmas gifts she ever received.

WC Resident Chuck Rucker reads a short essay about his fond memories of Christmas during his childhood.

In this episode, Abby Beckwith and Roy Rushing talk to guests Alex Hill and Laura Kitchens about the benefits and uses of cannabinoids in treating multiple conditions for seniors and non-seniors alike.

In this episode of "Tell Me a Story", Ben Fraser sits down with WC Resident Bob Gilson as he recalls stories from his time in civil service for the National Transportation Safety Board and also talks about his recent book discovery that caught the attention of local media outlets.

In this episode of "Tell Me a Story", we sit down with Westminster-Canterbury on the Bay resident Michael Pawlukiewicz as he recounts pivotal moments of his life and the effect that joining the United States Coast Guard had on molding it.

Susan Boland reads her essay about why she teaches memoir writing at Westminster Canterbury.

In this episode of Westminster Canterbury Tales' "Tell Me a Story" series, USN Captain David and Lynn Carré share their story from growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana to their lives as a United States Navy Family and finally to their decision to move to Westminster Canterbury on the Bay.