Durham Booth Manor celebrates, formally opens new veranda
OMAHA, Neb.—On Sept. 11, 2025, staff at The Salvation Army's Durham Booth Manor (DBM) treated residents to a grand opening on the historic building’s veranda, which recently underwent a makeover.
"Today is a huge day,” said program director Tabitha Dreiger. “It has been a long collaboration with our friends at Lowe's, and we're very excited to celebrate this project coming to fruition.
“We want to make this a very grand opening to this beautiful space -- we want [residents] to enjoy it, and we want to celebrate the fruits of the labor because it's important that we show our gratitude to the people that have made this a possibility."
The ceremony came three months after employees from Lowe’s and Dallas Johnson Greenhouse put in edgers, planted flowers, and did extensive landscaping.
"The residents have tremendously enjoyed this space," Dreiger said.
Among them is Connie Brace, who said she has lived at DBM for 10 years.
"Probably two or three times a week, I like to come out in the afternoon and read,” Brace said. “I'm a big reader, so this is really a nice place to sit and read. And it's been so enjoyable, especially with the garden and everything."
"This is my first time being out here," DBM resident William Davis said. "It’s very nice."
Dreiger said staff hopes the revitalized veranda gets residents more socially engaged.
“It's proven that social engagement can reduce cognitive decline in seniors," she said.
She added that DBM also received a grant from the Millard Foundation, which went toward providing on-site festivities for the grand opening.
“One of the items that we wanted to do was bring entertainment to our residents. Many of them have mobility issues and getting them out to see some of the beautiful things around them is not always a possibility, so we wanted to bring entertainment to them.”
Entertainment at the grand opening included musical performances from the Merry Makers and the River City Shakers.
"It's amazing, the opportunities they give us here,” Brace said. “I would recommend this place to anybody. It's full of good, amazing Christian people who care about you. We have a wonderful place here."
"I think this is truly representative of the commitment that The Salvation Army has...to bring beautiful spaces to life and bring smiles to seniors' faces,” Dreiger said. “They're so happy and elated about this project. It really is a commitment -- and I see where that aligns with our values, in terms of Doing the Most Good."