The Music Man of Shorewood: How One Volunteer is Keeping Memories Alive, One Note at a Time
At the Timbers of Shorewood Senior Living, there is a sound that cuts through the stillness – a nostalgic swell of organ music that seems to pull the past directly into the present.
At the keys is 69-year-old Joel Martis of Shorewood. He isn’t a professional musician, and he doesn’t have a fancy degree in performance. What he has is a request box, a heart full of gratitude, and—to the amazement of the community’s staff—a habit of donating entire musical instruments.
On a Tuesday this past April, Martis was awarded the “Joni Hilger Volunteer of the Year Award.” For Martis, the honor was unexpected.
“I was speechless when they called my name,” he said.
A Legacy in Every Key
Martis’ connection to The Timbers is personal. His late father lived there, and his mother is a current resident. But while most family members visit with flowers or a card, Martis shows up with a van.
To date, Martis has donated three separate organs to the community.
“I’m sure there will be more,” Martis says with a laugh, noting that the shortage of technicians means he often goes “hunting” for a bigger and better model the moment an old one starts acting up. “I just want to make sure they had something that worked. This is their kind of music. They grew up when the organ was popular.”
The music isn’t just background noise; it’s a bridge. Martis recalls his days selling Lowrey organs at the Jefferson Square Mall in the ‘70s, where he first observed the “magic” of the instrument.
“I saw people dancing in the aisles,” he says. “Others would come up with tears in their eyes. I didn’t know music did that.”
The “Pay It Forward” Playlist
The roots of Martis’ generosity go back to an incident where his English teacher noticed Martis drawing a pipe organ in class. This understanding teacher, Mr. Midlock, who also loved organ music, offered to teach him to play.
“He never charged me,” Martis remembers. “Because of him, I never charge either. It’s my way of giving back and remembering him.”
That spirit of “giving back” extends far beyond the piano bench. Martis is known to bring snacks for his audience members and prizes for the community’s game nights. He even serves as a personal liaison to the arts, recently arranging for a group of Timbers residents to visit the historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.
There, they were treated to a private performance on the Barton Grand—a massive, 55-year-old pipe organ that sits in the same pit where Martis first fell in love with the sound as a child.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
The award Martis received is named for Joni Hilger, a legendary Timbers volunteer who passed away before she could be honored. For Martis, carrying on her legacy is an important responsibility.
“After reading about Joni, I knew she was an amazing woman,” Martis says. “I think about her, I just do the best I can.”
For the residents, “the best” involves more than just a song. It’s the snacks, the tapping toes, and the realization that someone is listening to their requests.
“Joel provides more than just entertainment; he provides a sense of community,” says Amy Odell, director of activities at The Timbers. “He is a vital part of our family.”
As for Martis, he has no plans to close the keyboard cover anytime soon.
“Music is art, life, medicine, and joy,” he says. “It is universal, and I’ll continue to play until the day comes that I can’t anymore.”
About The Timbers of Shorewood
The Timbers of Shorewood Senior Living, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood, is a rental retirement community that provides senior independent living and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Residents whose needs may change are able to stay in the same place and receive appropriate and compassionate care. Furnished apartments are also available for short-term stays.
Learn more about the Timbers of Shorewood’s awards for senior living and read reviews about our community. For more information call 815-609-0669.
