Grace Reinbold’s entire life has been marked by new beginnings. After moving to Pensacola in 2020 to be closer to family, and more recently recovering from a fall that shattered her left arm and led to shoulder replacement surgery, she arrived at Wesley Haven Villa less than two months ago. What she’s found since then is something she didn’t expect: a deep sense of happiness and renewal.
“I can’t believe all the goodness that has happened since I arrived,” shared the 84 ½ year old. “I realized that my life is beginning again.”
In 2019, Grace was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame – an organization that honors women who have made a significant impact on the music industry behind the scenes. In her speech, which can be found here on YouTube, Grace expressed gratitude to the myriad of people who helped her along her journey. She is thankful to God for each new beginning in her life.
GETTING TO THE MUSIC SCENE
Grace was born in Texas, but raised in Wisconsin where her love of work and learning began early. “I never graduated from high school, but it happened in my life that I love to work and love learning. I love learning about people,” Grace reflected.
She met and married a very talented man named Damon Reinbold. “He and I developed a partnership in marriage and business, and we had a Saturday Rock & Roll radio show called “Skip to My Lou” – the first of its kind in Wisconsin.”
While moving around wherever the radio stations wanted them, Damon and Grace raised their 5 children. She eventually landed in Michigan, where she did a lot of charity work. From there she was recommended by the Governor of Michigan to a special executive leadership education program at the Harvard Business School designed for distinguished professionals from around the world. There she studied public relations and marketing and did a lot of writing.
Following that adventure, Grace moved to Nashville, and became an artist manager signing Rock & Roll bands, one of only a handful of female managers in the music business. She was picky and only worked with major artists, most of them household names.
Grace worked hard to get the Nashville community interested in growing the Rock & Roll scene, signing rock bands to contracts in the middle of ‘Country’ country. “We had to break through that and yet not do anything to destroy it,” Grace explained. “Not do anything that would give one single bad impression of country music or the celebrities there because they really were all wonderful.”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT MATTER
But Grace will tell you that there are three significant achievements in her life that mean a whole lot to her. A friend once told her that she has to give in order to get in life. And that philosophy of giving is what has given her the most satisfaction.
She and her husband campaigned in Washington DC to have warning labels added to all cigarette packages and promotions. “When my husband and I were on 20/20, an ABC television show, we were talking about that,” Grace remembered. “That meant a lot to me because it wound up raising so many millions of dollars in every state in America to educate kids to not smoke.”
The second achievement is in the form of some of the charitable work she did in Nashville. She created and organized the Rhinestones & Roses Fashion Show that brought radio and TV station winners from around the country to Nashville for star-studded performances by celebrities and fashion models wearing legendary celebrity outfits.
The third achievement that brings her satisfaction is the two years she spent organizing a charity flag football game in the Titan stadium, featuring NFL and Arena football players and celebrities to raise money for hunger-relief nonprofit Meals-on-Wheels. The Titans continue to hold events to raise funds for hunger relief and other nonprofit initiatives to this day.
With charity and public service front and center in her life, Grace is immensely proud of her children and grandchildren as well as their spouses and the career choices each has made. To name a few, among their ranks is a nurse, an art teacher, two police officers, a respiratory therapist, and a movie industry executive – each of them serving others.
MORE NEW BEGINNINGS TO COME
So what is the next new beginning for Grace? She is planning to become a docent at one of the art museums in Pensacola. There are a number of art museums within walking distance of Wesley Haven Villa in Downtown Pensacola. She wants to lead people through the museum and inspire them by explaining each artwork’s significance.
Grace is also regaining strength so that she can return to volunteering in the Thrift Store across the street at Pensacola First United Methodist Church. “I started out by helping at the Methodist Thrift store that is involved here, and I love doing it,” Grace said. She took a break to rest from eagerly overdoing some of the physical work, but she’s looking forward to returning. “I want to do more,” she added. “They need volunteers, and I can volunteer my Wednesday afternoons.”
Grace said that she is fascinated by the stories of her resident neighbors at Wesley Haven Villa. “They’re very bright talented people, and to listen do them at breakfast lunch or dinner, and what they had to go through in their lives is so interesting. This is one of the most special places in Pensacola.”
With a full time life enrichment director, there's no shortage of activities, entertainment, and other diversions. “There is a lot for people to do,” said Grace. “Anyone who’s got a mom or a dad or a grandparent or even themselves that need a little bit of extra assistance and guidance in getting their health back to normal, I’ll tell you, there couldn’t be a better place in all of Pensacola than Wesley Haven Villa. I do mean that, that’s coming from my heart.”
If you’re looking for a little help for yourself or a loved one in the Pensacola area, contact us to see if Wesley Haven Villa could be your next ‘new beginning.’