The city is proud of its heritage and understands the importance of planning for the future. Mineolans and visitors appreciate the warm, country atmosphere.

In 1989 Mineola was designated a "National Main Street City" and more than six million dollars, to date, has been spent in renovating central business district buildings.

Downtown Mineola is, once again, a flourishing center of commerce. Buildings reflect the history of the area and the artistry and craftsmanship of bygone eras. Decorative cast-iron columns from the turn of the century stand next to Carrara glass facades of the 1930's; ornate architectural details under building eaves contrast with the simple lines of classical revival style. The streets are lined with period lamp posts which provide a peaceful escape to stroll at your leisure in Historic Downtown Mineola.

Hotels built in the heyday of the railroads, as well as several historic homes, have been renovated and are centers of activity, serving as charming bed and breakfast inns and unique retail locations. Situated among more than 20 antique stores are specialty shops which feature dolls, clocks, vintage clothing, furniture, glassware, primitive and collectibles. Craft malls have items created by local craftsmen and artists. Mineola flourishes as a relaxing fun week-end get away.

Mineola is becoming well known and popular for its many cultural activities. Artists, sculptors, potters, musicians, writers, photographers, actors and other artists and artisans have created a cultural Mecca in Mineola.

The 80 year old Select Theater is the oldest continuous operating theatre in the state of Texas and offers first run films on weekends. The Lake Country Playhouse, an award-winning live-drama group, headquartering at the Select, offers live productions at least 12 weekends a year.

Historic Mineola is a place where train whistles blow like wind chimes and where hellos from strangers are still commonplace... where you can play horseshoes down by the gazebo or catch bass 'til the sun sets. Stroll through the Piney Woods of Mineola where, magically, time stands still. REST, RELAX AND RENEW!

Escape to Mineola, where People make the difference.

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Mineola Monitor Newspaper – February 28, 2007 *
Community Care Center – Making you feel at home
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It’s important to Community Care Center owner Roy Freebourn to give the residents at his home a living environment where they feel as if they are at home and the care they receive nurtures their physical condition as well as their feeling of self worth. Freebourn, whose holdings include three nursing homes (including one in Fort Worth), is a man filled with vitality who feels blessed and wants to give those blessings back to others.

The 82-bed Community Care Center has been in Mineola for decades and Freebourn has mapped out changes that will expand it, making it much bigger and better. One of the actions which he has already taken is the construction of a new, large dinning room on the south end of the home. He is happy about the spacious room where all of the residents, plus their families, can fit at one time. That particular day the walls were dotted with cheery Valentine decorations and Black History month information. Freebourn plans to incorporate a baby grand piano and also antique furnishings that will trigger memories for the residents.

The nursing home, which he hopes to transform from a “facility” to a “home”, is almost constantly under construction in one aspect or another. Removal of a back chain link fence and a front wooden fence are just part of the groundwork for further expansion when the rooms will reach out to the front paved parking lot and the back of the home will c=become the front.
The Community Care Center owner enthusiastically points to small touches that make a big difference, beginning with the Ten Commandments that hand on the wall in every nursing home. Freebourn, who started in the field in 1977 as a nurse aide, admits he has been very blessed and he feels in is his duty to give back that blessing. “It’s a God thing,” he said. He said both his mother and father have passed away and it’s something that is important to him. He believes his reward is waiting for him in another place.

Most important is that many of the current rooms are bring converted and the new rooms are being built to be private rooms. But Freebourn emphatically noted that does not imply they are private pay. A large portion of their residents are those for whom Medicare pays their fees. For anyone who has ever dealt with a nursing home, the benefits of private rooms are clear. It would allow more comfort, more privacy. If a family wanted to visit until 2 o’clock in the morning they wouldn’t be disturbing a roommate. When a family wants to stay by the bedside of a loved one who may be near death, there would be room in a private room to move in another bed.

Private rooms would also ease the way for residents to bring their pets with them to the home. Community Care Center already has a little furry friend, a long-haired Dachshund named Sugar who comes and goes at the home.
There are some things about nursing homes the general public may not normally notice, Freebourn is very familiar with, such as hoe the doors to residents’ rooms are usually dark brown and they create a dreary effect in the hall. Refurbishing has been taken on one hall at a time and whose doors are now painted white, They are embellished with box trim and equipped with brass hardware that includes large room numbers, a kick plate and a lever knob instead of the old large, round knob that can be difficult to handle.

The new look includes rooms where “institution” style is banished and replaced with more homey touches in lighting, window covers and most importantly to Freebourn, beds. Community Care Center is spending more money to put comfortable mattresses on the beds. Isn’t because they have to, but because they should.

“Why? Why not spend more for a one-time purchase,” Freebourn asked.
The bathrooms aren’t being ignored. Beautiful etched glass oval mirrors are one of three versions being installed in the rooms, The sinks are pedestals, which provide more support and room for wheelchairs to scoot in under, not to mention are more style. Even the toilets have been thoughtfully chosen. They aren’t the typical public restroom type. They are elongated and rest higher up of the floor, making it easier for a person to be able to sit upon.

As Community Care Center progresses, Freebourn is anxious to implement the LEAP program. It’s getting started in his Fort Worth facility and will be brought to Mineola afterward. The LEAP quality initiative, which stands for Learn, Empower, Achieve and Produce, has the goal of eliminating loneliness, depression and boredom in nursing home residents, although a large majority of people who go into nursing homes are already suffering from depression because of chemical imbalances in their body.
Part of the program also deals with the work schedule, providing key caregivers around the clock instead of only during regular workday hours. Those employees are charged with providing a high level of care, such as training of residents to help them continue to be as independent as possible.

Something that Freebourn is looking forward to implementing at the Mineola home is a day spa. It would include time in a whirlpool, pedicure and manicures (which double as a quality check to make sure the residents’ nails are cleaned and cut properly) and even backrubs.

He is happy and grateful for the support from churches that occurs at the home. He would love to see more involvement of school children with the residents, knowing how children light up the lives of the elderly residents. He invites classes to schedule a regular visit, even once a month or quarter, and he’d love to see several do so. Freebourn asks that visitors schedule their visits, however, so the staff can provide drinks and snacks for the visitors to enjoy with the residents, providing for further interaction.
Much of the quality of care rests upon the shoulders of the people who work at the nursing home and Freebourn is doing what he can to employ quality people. He provides a scholarship program to nurse aides who want to continue their education and obtain higher certifications.

The home provides and pays a portion of employees’ Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance. Other medical benefits are also provided. Freebourn points out that over 50 percent of the nursing home employees in Texas do not have any health insurance. Freebourn also said he performs a salary survey quarterly or bi-annually. Members of the staff are like a family and recent family tragedies have been felt by all. The works support each other and have even held fund-raisers to help fellow staffers in need. He wants employees, who place God first, then their families and then their job. “If they do those first two, the quality of care they’re going to provide is going to be awesome,” he said. It’s all things which the nursing home owner’s heart, not accountants, leads him to do.

“God blessed me and I want to bless this place.”