Stories

Building Joy, One Track at a Time

June 17, 2026

A Father's Day Story of Giving Back

For Terry Hartmann and Leon Weitgenant, Father's Day is a reminder of what matters most: family, time together, and creating meaningful moments with the people you love.

Those values inspired the two fathers to donate countless hours, materials, and expertise to create the model train that now circles the dining room ceiling at Crescent Cove.

"We just want to bring joy to the kids," said Terry.

Interestingly, before this project, Terry and Leon had never met.

A Friendship Grows Over a Shared Love of Trains

Leon, a lifelong model train enthusiast, was approached by Crescent Cove CNA Mark Martindale about the possibility of building a train for the Home. At nearly the same time, Terry independently suggested the very same idea to Katie Lindenfelser, our founder and Director of Advocacy. Mark and Katie connected the two men, and what began as separate conversations quickly became a shared mission.

For children who are unable to eat by mouth, the dining room can present unique challenges. Meals are often a central part of family life and social connection, yet some children are unable to participate in that experience in the traditional way.

"Having a train in the dining room is a way to help entertain kids who don't eat by mouth," said Katie Lindenfelser, Founder and Director of Advocacy at Crescent Cove. "Socializing around a meal is an important part of the human experience, yet these kids don't partake in meals. Instead of being excluded, they can be at the table and entertained by the train while others are sharing a meal."

Creating the Train was no simple task

After studying the dining room's tray ceiling, Terry and Leon realized that standard train tracks would not work. The curves were too wide and would require custom engineering. Leon carefully modified sections of track by cutting apart and reconfiguring the ties to create wider curves, while Terry researched materials strong enough to support the train overhead. He ultimately worked with Genereux Fine Wood in Monticello to create custom cabinet-grade wood track supports from a single piece of wood.

The pair assembled the entire track system in Leon's living room, testing and adjusting it until the train ran smoothly. Then they disassembled everything, transported it to Crescent Cove, and installed it overhead.

"Model trains are an expensive venture," Leon said. "But it was an honor to donate the time and materials to a place like Crescent Cove."

A Shared Experience of Loss

For Leon, the project carried an especially personal meaning.

Years ago, Leon and his wife Patty experienced the devastating loss of their first child, Andrew, who lived for just 20 minutes after being born prematurely due to complications during pregnancy. As the couple grieved the loss of their son, Patty also faced a lengthy recovery in the hospital.

The family later welcomed two more children, Amanda and Brad. Tragically, Amanda passed away unexpectedly at the age of 19. Those losses gave Leon a deep understanding of the journey many Crescent Cove families face.

"I know what these parents feel like and what they are going through," he said. "If I can just bring a little joy into the life of their kids, that's good enough for me."

Today, the train circles the dining room ceiling, delighting children and adults alike. As both men reflected on the project and on fatherhood, their thoughts returned to the same theme.

"Family is everything," Terry said. "And time is precious."

This Father's Day, we are grateful for fathers like Terry and Leon, who share their talents, their compassion, and their hearts to help make moments count for the children and families we serve.

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