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Gary Holt
Assistant Farm Life Skills Coach and Exercise Coach

Gary has seemingly infinite patience and energy whether it is working on the farm cultivating vegetables, leading group sports (especially soccer), listening soulfully to a resident's story, or making flutes from bamboo grown near the lake.  He also plays the flute beautifully and has a keen ear for music.

With the combined efforts of Chris Blalock in the woodshop and other 'flute circle members', Gary hosted Cherokee Danny Bigay, nationally known Native American Flutemaker and Flutist at a musical performance at CooperRiis and further inspired staff and residents to make and play the Native American Flute.

Gary and Chris have guided residents in making flutes from bamboo, cedar and, walnut and maple.  The wood used, as well as the length of the flute barrel, predicates the mellow sound of the flute.  Playing the flute is rather therapeutic and many residents are able to bring along a flute they made themselves, when they leave CooperRiis.

Gary is one of our residential staff and enjoys living as a full community member with our residents.  He is called on to help resolve many impromptu needs and always responds with his heartwarming smile.