Don has had a long career in education and service – having spent time both domestically and abroad.  He has a master’s degree in Spanish and has studied and worked in Spain, Ecuador, Alaska, California, the Caribbean and many other exciting locations. Notwithstanding this worldly exposure, the Wood River Valley is home, where his children were born and where he spent 20 years prior to taking a position for a non-profit organization in Seattle. After five years out of state, Don and his wife Heather chose to move their family back to Hailey.  Don is currently a project manager at Engelmann Partners.  Don loves all outdoor activities including skiing, water sports, fishing, hunting and camping.

I believe the measure of a community can be gauged by how well we care for its youngest and oldest members. I am excited to contribute my energy to enriching the lives of seniors in the Wood River Valley.

Heather Dawson comes to the Senior Connection Board with a 30-year background in public service. In her early years at the City of Hailey, she was influenced by the stalwart and active seniors of the community such as Alba Arndt who came to City Hall in her 90’s to meet the mayor and advise on the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. Heather was  raised in the Wood River Valley within a family with old-world values. She believes our hope for the future is rooted in the legacy of our past, and that a connected senior community imparts that legacy. In turn, the seniors resound with more purpose and joy.

“I’ve learned so much from listening to the stories of my parents and those who carry the wisdom of their years.  I often reflect ‘Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.’ I frequently meet seniors who have moved here because of the strong social culture for the elderly. The Senior Connection is one of the strong contributors to that, and I am grateful to become a part of that.”

Practicing emergency medicine for 35 years, Dr. Fastow was often struck by the avoidable nature of many senior visits to the emergency room. He is interested in pursuing solutions to this problem through education of caregivers and patients in the technological advances that will provide better care outside the ER and the hospital. In addition to his clinical experience, he has operated a large firm contracting for physician services to community hospitals and has been involved in leadership positions in the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Maryland Medical Society and several home owners’ associations. Dr. Fastow views the Senior Connection as a support resource for senior citizens in the community providing dietary, educational, wellbeing and transportations services.

Mardi is a committed community volunteer who moved here in 2009.  She is active at St. Thomas Episcopal Church serving on the vestry and leading various lay ministries.  She has been a member of the Wood River Women’s Foundation since 2015.  At the Senior Connection she is currently serving as the Co-Chair for Cocktails for a Cause, a member of the Spiritual Committee, Development Committee and on the Steering Committee for our upcoming Sustaining Campaign.

“Let us give back to our senior population what they so generously have given us by supporting them with essential services and meaningful programs.  This gift will indeed give them a feeling of community living their purposeful and passion filled lives.”