Brad Ray
Director of Programs
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
“For years, my mother was the Director of Senior Volunteers in the small Minnesota community that I grew up in. I would often accompany her on various outings and community events that she organized. I enjoyed spending time with the senior citizens of my community. Being a young and budding history buff, I especially enjoyed their stories of rural farm life years ago. In addition to this, I had an especially close relationship to my paternal grandparents. Through them I learned the value of communication with older adults. The amount of personal growth I gained through them helped me become the passionate Director of Programs that I am today.”
Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role?
“I have a B.S. in English Literature from Moorhead State University”, as well as over 20 years of experience in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. In addition to this, I am an accomplished musician. I am a guitarist and singer with over 3000 songs in my memorized repertoire. I am blessed to be able to use my musical gifts to enhance the lives of the seniors living at Village Shores.
What is the best part of your workday?
I love making connections with people. In addition, I love to connect people! I enjoy finding out the interests of our new and incoming residents and pairing them with like-minded peers. Village Shores is a very welcoming community. The connections made by the residents with each other, as well the bonds formed between residents and staff members is one of the wonderfully positive aspects of living and working at Village Shores.
What is your favorite resident memory or story?
In my late 20’s when I was working at as Activity Assistant at a nursing facility in North Minneapolis, my supervisor let me know that I would be learning a new skill. “Brad, today you are going to learn how to give manicures.” I replied with a hearty laugh, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me! Me, give manicures to these sweet ladies? I don’t have that kind of artistic ability!” Well, lo and behold, here I am today with a skill that makes a great number of our ladies quite happy! They line-up sometimes a dozen deep for one of “Brad’s complimentary cut, file, and polish” jobs.” It’s just another one of the many beneficial symbiotic perks that are hallmarks of Village Shores.
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
Our community stands our from the competition mainly because of it’s welcoming atmosphere and the way the community feels. Nearly all newcomers note how welcoming Village Shores feels compared to other places they have lived. Many of our long-time residents make sure to go out of their way to make the newcomers feel at home. It is one of the many points of difference offered by Village Shores.
More About Brad…
I was born to a pair of young hippie college students in Minneapolis in 1970. After they completed school, we moved to the Iron Range where my folks worked until I was the age of 8. We then moved to a small farmhouse in western Minnesota near the town that my father’s hometown of Barrett. Growing up with numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and my paternal grandparents really gave me a sense of self and confidence. My father’s side was quite musically inclined, as he and his brothers played in a local country-rock band at taverns and bars all around the area. Being exposed to music, and eventually community theatre helped cement my early dream of being a performer. This life-long passion has helped me develop as a confident leader and orator. These are skills that I bring to Village Shores in my role of Director of Programs. My high school years were filled with sports, music, and theatre. I eventually went to Moorhead State University where I graduated with a degree in English Literature, as well as minors in Speech and Theatre. I spent a few years traipsing around the western United States snowboarding and following the Grateful Dead rock and roll band. I eventually met the woman of my dreams and settled down in the Twin Cities. It was in 199 when I first entered the field of Senior Living as an Activity Assistant at a nursing home in North Minneapolis. Today, I am married with two daughters, aged 28 and 11. I play in numerous music projects throughout the Twin Cities. MY hobbies are skiing, cooking, and playing disc golf. I recently spent 7 months at home recovering from cancer, in which by all accounts, I was victorious in my recovery! I look forward to many more years serving the residents at Village Shores. I consider it a gift to be able to offer my talents to this wonderful place.
Favorite Movie?
I enjoy historical drama, horror films, quirky independent films, and WWII epics. However, none can compare to the film that won an Oscar for the best film of 1970. “Harold and Maude” holds a special place in my heart. A quirky intergenerational love story featuring a soundtrack of songs by Cat Stevens, this film holds up 51 years after it’s creation.
Favorite Book?
I enjoy reading non-fiction WWI and Vietnam war era books. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a touching, disturbing, and sentimental portrait of the soldiers of the Vietnam War and gives a detailed vision of the burdens they carried throughout the war and throughout their lives, both physically and emotionally.
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
I have bled purple and gold since I was a youngster. Skol Vikings
Favorite bands?
Being a musician, I have had many influences. However, if I were to list my favorite bands, I would have to say the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling granites, Pink Floyd, Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and the venerable John Prine.
Top travel destination on your list?
I yearn to return to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico where my wife and I had a glorious adventure years ago exploring Mayan Ruins, swimming in deep cenotes, and enjoying delicious and fresh cuisine. Viva La Mexico!
Do you have any pets?
We have three cats. Jaycee, Dizzy, and Kiki. They are spoiled rotten and think they run the show.
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
I always wished I could fly. My dad was a pilot, and we flew a small plane while I was growing up. I miss the perception of the world when looking at it from 3000 feet above it.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
It may come as a surprise to many residents that for all my life up until fairly recently, I was without siblings. Four years ago, our family was surprised to find that I had a half-brother that nobody knew about! Douglas was adopted at birth 56 years ago, and until through ancestory.com, he discovered his biological parents, the father being my dad! Much to my dad’s surprise at the time, our family has embraced Doug and his partner Robby. Doug and Robby live in Memphis where he teaches English at a local community college. He has hosted my family, including my parents, on multiple trips to visit that lovely southern city. In addition, they have embraced Doug’s Minnesota roots, and have journeyed northwards a few times as well. They even attended a Ray family reunion in Kentucky! In the words of the venerable Jerry Garcia, the guitarist for the Grateful Dead, “goes to show, you don’t ever know.”
