We’re excited to share that Lauren Sczepanski, SHRM-CP has stepped into her new role as HR Director at Capitol Lakes! Lauren first joined Capitol Lakes as an intern and has since grown into a trusted leader in HR—known for her dedication to supporting employees and creating a positive workplace culture. From onboarding new hires to helping team members navigate benefits, growth, and career paths, Lauren has always been passionate about setting people up for success. “I really enjoy being a go-to resource for employees—helping them feel supported and confident in their roles,” Lauren says. Now, as HR Director, she’s excited to continue building strong teams and fostering the supportive, community-focused environment that makes Capitol Lakes so special. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with friends and family, practicing yoga, and getting out on the lakes in the summer—with her fiancé and their lab, Winnie. 🐾 Please join us in congratulating Lauren on this exciting next chapter! #EmployeeSpotlight #HRDirector
In honor of Older Americans Month, we’re continuing to celebrate the remarkable residents who make Capitol Lakes such a special community. Today, we’re proud to recognize Gloria and Ron, whose lives reflect a deep commitment to service, innovation, and caring for others. Gloria built a remarkable career in nursing, specializing in cardiology and later leading an intensive care unit. Beyond her work in healthcare, she founded a garden design business, lectured at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and dedicated herself to therapy dog work. With their golden retriever Amos, she helped children build confidence in reading—an effort honored with a commemorative statue. She continues that legacy today with Libby, whose visits bring joy to residents and staff. Ron’s contributions to medicine are equally meaningful. As a cardiologist, he helped pioneer an early paramedic program and founded a cardiac rehabilitation clinic, creating spaces where patients could heal together. His dedication fostered not just care, but a true sense of community among those he served. Together, Gloria and Ron have always been guided by a strong sense of community—something they continue to bring to life each day at Capitol Lakes. Gloria and Ron truly reflect the spirit of Older Americans Month, and we are so lucky to have them as part of our Capitol Lakes community! #OlderAmericansMonth
In celebration of Older Americans Month, we recognize Capitol Lakes residents Bob and Marney Scheele for their dedication to creativity, service, and community. From their East Coast roots to life in Madison, they’ve embraced each chapter with purpose. Marney, a librarian, launched a literacy program in a correctional facility, while Bob found a passion for woodworking. Today, they continue giving back—Marney leads the “Give and Take” drive, and together they stay active and engaged at Capitol Lakes. Join us in celebrating all those who embody the spirit of thriving in every chapter! #OlderAmericansMonth
We’re excited to highlight Chef de Cuisine Eric Benedict.👨🍳 Eric has been part of our community for two years, bringing fresh ideas, thoughtful menu planning, and a deep appreciation for how meaningful dining is to the residents we serve. As he shares, “I love how much our residents enjoy their meals here, and what a big part of their daily life the dining experience we provide for them is. It is very validating.” Eric’s favorite cuisine is Vietnamese — including bun bo hue, pho, fresh spring rolls, and banh mi — dishes known for their clean, bright flavors. Outside of work, he enjoys foraging, hiking, and traveling. Thank you, Eric, for making every meal an experience to remember at Capitol Lakes! 🍽️#EmployeeSpotlight #ChefDeCuisine
Behind every great meal is a great chef! 👨🍳 Today we’re spotlighting Mark Walters, our Executive Chef and the creative mind leading the culinary experience at Capitol Lakes. Mark has been part of our community for 10 years, bringing bold flavors, thoughtful menu planning, and a genuine love for serving residents. He shares, “I enjoy cooking food and planning menus for our residents. I love and appreciate the strong culinary team we have at Capitol Lakes.” Thank you, Mark, for guiding our kitchen with passion and setting the standard for exceptional dining.🍽️#EmployeeSpotlight #ExecutiveChef
After 16 years of dedicated service, we’d like to congratulate Steve Mellstrom, our Director of Human Resources at Capitol Lakes, on his retirement. Since joining CLK in 2009, Steve has consistently gone above and beyond for our team members—always looking out for their well-being, providing steady guidance, and helping ensure our organization meets the many compliance requirements of our industry. Known just as much for his incredible homemade salsa as for his thoughtful leadership, Steve has left a lasting impact on our workplace culture. As he begins this next chapter with his wife, Sue, we wish them all the best as they spend time at their cabin, travel, and enjoy life to the fullest. Thank you, Steve—you will be truly missed!
Great dining starts with great leadership! 👨🍳 Meet Cecil McGrew, our Dining Services Director at Capitol Lakes, and the first spotlight as we celebrate the talented team behind our exceptional dining experiences. For the past 2.5 years, Cecil has brought passion and teamwork to our community, sharing, “What I love most is working together to provide great dining experiences for our residents and their loved ones.” When it comes to food, Cecil is open to anything delicious—but Japanese cuisine is his top pick! Outside the kitchen, you’ll find him on the softball field or cheering on his kids as a proud soccer dad. Thank you, Cecil, for your leadership and commitment to making every meal special at Capitol Lakes. Stay tuned as we introduce more of the amazing leadership behind our dining program🍽️ #EmployeeSpotlight
🎨 Meet Lynda Steffen Clark, one of our incredibly talented residents! Lynda has spent her life creating and sharing art—from teaching in Wisconsin and Australia to pioneering computer graphics work across the U.S. Her illustrations often feature people she loves and the places she’s traveled, and here at Capitol Lakes, she captures the heart of our community. See below one of Lynda’s incredible pieces, inspired by life here at Capitol Lakes. Residents love spotting familiar faces in her playful, “Where’s Waldo”-style illustrations. Lynda says it best: “Art has always been a part of me. It’s how I experience the world, and I’m thankful I can still create and share it with others.” 🌟 Thank you, Lynda, for capturing the spirit and energy of our community through your work! #CapitolLakes #ResidentSpotlight #CommunityCreativity #ResidentArt
🎉 What a celebration! Capitol Lakes marked 50 incredible years with a party for the whole community. Everyone came together to share good food, good company, and plenty of memories to tuck into our community time capsule. And yes—our sparkling ice sculpture definitely stole the show! Cheers to 50 incredible years, and to many more to come! #CapitolLakes50 #50YearsStrong #CommunityCelebration
🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of Capitol Lakes, and Ron’s 49-Year Journey! 🎉 As we commemorate 50 incredible years at Capitol Lakes, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Ron Ladell, one of our longest-tenured team members since 1976! Starting his journey as a high school dishwasher, Ron rose through the ranks to become a cook and spent over a decade running the lunch cart—a role that allowed him to connect with residents and listen to their amazing stories daily. Ron says his favorite part of working at Capitol Lakes is the residents. One memory that stands out? Celebrating a resident’s 108th birthday—a truly remarkable milestone! Now working part-time in food services and at events, Ron shares his passion with the community alongside his wife of nearly 40 years, who also works here. When he’s not at Capitol Lakes, you might find him on the pickleball court with friends, enjoying a few laughs and some friendly competition! After nearly five decades, Ron’s advice to future employees is simple: “It’s a great place to work!” Thank you, Ron, for your unwavering dedication and for being such a valued part of our Capitol Lakes family! 💙 #CapitolLakes50 #EmployeeSpotlight #CommunityLegacy #Since1976
