Musicians have been entertaining with informal jam sessions at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake for 20 years. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Twenty years ago, Dr. John Davis asked the Grace Village Retirement Community if he, his brother, Robert, and George and Waunita Young could move their weekly musical jam sessions to the dining room.

In the beginning, it was simply a place for a few musicians to meet and share their music with each other. But as time passed, more and more residents, their family and friends, and members of the community were welcomed to attend.

That was the beginning of the weekly program known as Thursday Night Jam. As the years progressed, requests were made by residents moving to other levels of care at Grace Village to have jam sessions in their area as well. So individual artists and small music groups splintered off from the main Thursday night ensemble to serve those requests at other times.

Thursday Night Jam is an unrehearsed, spontaneous music event and an informal opportunity to enjoy familiar gospel, folk, country, bluegrass and blues music, combined with some laughs and fellowship with others.

Grace Village is grateful for the uplifting, encouraging presence of Thursday Night Jam, as musicians have ministered to residents for more than 20 years.

Grace Village is the only not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Kosciusko County. Incorporated in 1974, Grace Village is dedicated to providing a comfortable and secure Christian setting. Seniors of all faiths are welcomed at Grace Village.