Magnolias of Lancaster Safety Maintenance Director David Reynolds displays his rock collection as part of his “Exploring with Dave” series. Reynolds hosts entertaining and educational presentations, telling residents about his time as a professional baseball player, billiards competitor, first responder, world traveler and a role he held at Yellowstone Park.
From Globetrotting Tales to Nature Explorations, Maintenance Director Sparks Curiosity, Connection Among Senior Living Residents
LANCASTER, Pa. – David Reynolds does more than just ensure the building runs smoothly at Magnolias of Lancaster. The Safety Maintenance Director brings the senior living community to life with stories of adventure, history and the wonders of the natural world.
Through his popular “Exploring with Dave” sessions, Reynolds shares tales of his travels across South America, or he captivates audiences with his knowledge of birds and rocks. A former pitcher and a successful pool player, he can talk about baseball, billiards or sports in general.
“David has a unique ability to turn everyday moments into extraordinary experiences,” said Diana Teijaro, LifeStories Director at Magnolias of Lancaster. “His work in our community isn’t just about maintenance. It’s about connection, inspiration, and bringing the world to our residents in an interesting and enjoyable format. With every session of ‘Exploring with Dave,’ he reminds us all that adventure never truly ends. It simply finds new ways to be told.”
Reynolds’ lifetime of adventures spans a brief professional baseball career; national billiards competitions; environmental studies in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; travels to South America; an apprenticeship as an electrician; and his time as a first responder.
Lodge 11 of the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police presented Reynolds with a Heroism Award “for his heroic actions on February 27, 2011.” The award noted, “With total disregard for his own safety, he responded to a crash scene in which the vehicle caught fire and rescued the trapped and unresponsive driver before the vehicle completely burned.”
Teijaro said Reynolds has lived such an eventful life that the stories simply flow, and the residents appreciate listening to them.
“David brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to every conversation,” Teijaro said. “His interactive programs spark joy, trigger fond memories, and create meaningful connections with residents. For many at Magnolias of Lancaster, David isn’t just the person who fixes things — he’s the one who inspires, educates, and brings the world to them, one story at a time.”
“Exploring with Dave” features videos and photographs of Reynolds’ travels. He also shares his interest in birds and rocks with the residents during the interactive presentations. The presentations typically attract some of the best turnouts among residents in the 36-bed Memory Care Neighborhood. As many as 25 residents have engaged in the various events.
Reynolds’ “Rock Talk” is so popular that sometimes the presentation is divided into two groups, Teijaro said.
“When I’m reliving my memories and I see those memories bring back a memory for the residents, the joy it brings them makes me happy,” Reynolds said. “This is a great job. I love interacting with people.”
Reynolds grew up in West Philadelphia, where he cultivated an interest in sports and adventure. He made a name on the baseball diamond and in billiards. He graduated from the University of Montana, where his internship in Yellowstone Park led to Reynolds’ learning about geysers, ecosystems and nature.
Seven weeks spent in South America provided more material for the stories Reynolds tells the residents at Magnolias of Lancaster. His lifelong “adventure” led him to a role as a certified electrician as well as time as a volunteer firefighter.
“When I was in college, the main study in environmental science was ornithology,” Reynolds said of the scientific study of birds. “So, in Central and South America I followed birds. Some of greatest avion ecological diversity is in Ecuador — a country the size of Colorado.
“I went to the Highest point on planet Earth, which is Mt. Chimborozo in Ecuador,” he continued. “I went to the Amazon, caught and ate piranhas in a dug-out canoe, swam with giant sea turtles in the Galapagos and played with blue footed booby birds, possibly the funniest animal on Earth.”
A decade ago, Reynolds moved to Oregon. He also traveled Europe and explored National Parks in 48 of 50 states – only Arkansas and Alaska remain on his list. Reynolds trekked to the highest point in more than 20 states.
Eventually, his travels brought him back to Pennsylvania, where he joined the team at Magnolias of Lancaster. He married his wife, Riley, on Feb. 29, 2024 – a Leap Year. Riley attends friends and family events at the senior living community and is popular among the Magnolias of Lancaster residents.
“I just moved back home in July to help with my parents, and I started working here almost immediately,” Reynolds said. “I had refined my love of rock hounding in Oregon due to the incredible geological uniqueness of the state. The Cascade Mountains are a giant volcano, so almost everything I bring in for the residents to see and learn about, I found myself.
“Getting to connect with the residents and see the excitement and interest in their eyes is the most satisfying part,” he said. “You can always tell when a resident is having a good or bad day in terms of their mental health. When I get a group engaged and excited about something they either know about from their youth or they’re learning for the first time, I get the same excitement that originally led me into these hobbies and studies.”
Next up, Reynolds plans to soon join residents and Teijaro for a planned trip to the Middle Creek Wild Life Management Area. The goal is to witness the snow goose and waterfowl migration.
Reynolds also plans to discuss his South American Amazon River Trip he participated in with local residents rather than a tour group.
“We are really looking forward to both,” Teijaro said.
For more information, contact Diana Teijaro, LifeStories Director, Magnolias of Lancaster, at dteijaro@integracare.com or call 717.560.2381.