A 78-year-old newlywed, Martha
Moore Wooldridge recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary.

A native of Pennsylvania, Martha attended college in Vermont before marrying and moving to the Philadelphia suburbs. An English major, Martha worked at several nearby college libraries before leaving work to raise her two children.When her children were older, Martha returned to the workforce and discovered a passion for desktop publishing. “I was working at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and I learned desktop publishing, and I really loved the computer; I love what the computer can do,” recalled Martha.

Martha’s passion for computers continued after retirement, and she found a new outlet for it when she moved to Ginger Cove. She is now editor-in-chief of the residents’ monthly newsletter. In addition to editing and laying out the articles submitted by her fellow residents, Martha also contributes original articles about her peers. “The people here are just really interesting, so I try to interview them and share their stories,” she said.

One of the many interesting stories at Ginger Cove belongs to Martha herself. A second-generation CCRC resident, she knew early that she wanted to plan ahead for retirement. Martha’s mother was living in a CCRC in Western Pennsylvania when she suffered a stroke. “We were 300 miles away and so relieved that we didn’t have to find nursing care when she got sick because the health center was part of her community. We decided then that we would move to a CCRC too,” Martha remembered.

Martha may have decided to move to a retirement community early, but she found her ideal community quite unexpectedly. “We looked at lots of communities around Philadelphia,” Martha said. “They were O.K., but none of them seemed exactly right.”

Martha and her husband Ken were visiting a nearby family cottage when they decided on a whim to check out Ginger Cove. Martha recalled, “They invited us to visit. It didn’t matter that we only had shorts to wear.” After their initial visit, they returned to the community for dinner and quickly decided they had found their new home.

Shortly thereafter, Martha and Ken made the move to a spacious apartment at Ginger Cove overlooking pretty Gingerville Creek. Unfortunately, they were just beginning to settle in when tragedy struck. “Six weeks after we moved in, my husband died,” Martha recalled. “We knew he was sick, but we thought it was going to work out, but it just didn’t.”

In addition to writing and outdoor activities, Martha’s busy
schedule also includes water aerobics.

After Ken’s sudden passing, Martha found support in her new community. “Even though I didn‘t really know anybody here, they all rallied around, and I got to know so many people so quickly,” she said. With the help of her new friends at Ginger Cove and at the nearby First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Martha began to heal. “I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I had been alone in that big house. It would have been so lonely,” she said.

Just over a year later, Martha and her family suffered another tragedy when she lost her daughter. “Again, these two new families — my Ginger Cove family and my church family — were there for me,” Martha remembered. “I didn’t have to be alone with my grief, so that part was wonderful.”

One of the friends who offered support to Martha was Tim Wooldridge. Much like Martha, Tim lost his wife just a few months after moving to Ginger Cove. The two became friends, and a relationship grew out of their friendship. “I don’t know quite how it happened,” Martha smiled as she recalled. “It just sort of evolved very naturally.”

On March 24, 2012, Martha and Tim were married. Their reception was held at Ginger Cove and was truly a community affair. To celebrate their first milestone as a couple, Martha and Tim had the help of many of the community’s residents and staff. Martha laughs as she recalls all the friends who wanted to be her ‘flower girls.’ “In the end I had four ‘flower girls,’ and it was really hysterical, but I gave them all little duties and called them ‘flower girls,’” she said.Beyond the major milestones, moving to Ginger Cove has dramatically improved Martha’s everyday life. “They take such good care of us here, and I think that lengthens our lives,” she said. “I also think all the socialization this community provides helps us live longer and better.”

From carefree entertaining to the 35 resident committees and countless activities, Martha and her peers can always find something stimulating to do. Martha’s busy schedule includes water aerobics, kayaking on the nearby creek, and participating in the creative writing group, as well as her work on the community’s newsletter.

In addition to all her regular activities, Martha is also thrilled to be serving on the Planning Committee for Ginger Cove’s 25th anniversary celebration in August 2013. The group is already busy coordinating an old-fashioned picnic complete with a parade. “It will be a fun day, and a great chance to celebrate this wonderful community,” she said.

Martha is preparing to help Ginger Cove celebrate its 25th
anniversary in August. She is a part of the Planning Committee that is coordinating an old-fashioned picnic complete with a parade.

During the past 25 years, Ginger Cove has continually expanded and improved its facilities to serve its diverse and active group of residents. Most recently, the community completed a major renovation and construction project, which added a casual dining room with an outdoor deck, a large indoor aquatics center, a Wellness Center, a spa and a business center. The project also included total renovation of the 61-bed skilled nursing and rehab center to include all-private rooms, airy family rooms and a beautiful 5,000 square foot open-air garden.

Whether you are celebrating a second anniversary or a 25th anniversary, the occasion provides an opportunity to think back and to look forward — to appreciate where you have been and anticipate where you are going. As the residents of Ginger Cove plan for the community’s upcoming anniversary, they are grateful to have found a home that is adapting to meet their needs while maintaining its dedication to quality care and strong connections. Those connections are perhaps best exemplified by newlyweds Martha and Tim Wooldridge, who both suffered great losses, but who, with the help of their friends and neighbors, are making new memories and marking new milestones.

Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties and reactions of substances. It is also the inexplicable connection that unites people. John Mutchler knows both types of chemistry well.

John Mutchler found the perfect balance of amenities to meet all his needs at The Hermitage.

A native Washingtonian, John grew up in Kensington, Md., and attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. From this top-rated public high school, he was able to go on to Cornell University, where he graduated with a degree in Chemistry.

John’s first job brought him back to Washington, D.C. He worked for the Gillette Company on Teflon-coated razor blades. Later, he pursued other ventures, but found himself drawn back to his work as a chemist. “As most people do, I changed jobs just to see if the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. I found out it wasn’t,” John recalled of his career move.

After returning to his original passion, John found his dream job as a chemist at a manufacturing plant in Northern New Jersey. “When I retired, I went out with a bang, instead of a whimper! I felt very fortunate that my last job was so satisfying,” he said.

While he found a lot of fulfillment in his work, John also enjoys spending time with his family, including his two children. He is also very close to his twin sister and spent many hours on the tennis court playing the single’s champion.

After retiring, John continued to live in Northern New Jersey. Several years ago, while still living alone, he fell and broke his back. While the injury was slowly healing, John realized that he needed some additional help. “I really couldn’t walk very far on my own, and I was very curtailed in my physical activities,” he said. “My daughter had always wanted me to come and live near them when I retired, so we started talking about it.”

When John’s daughter found The Hermitage, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Alexandria, Va., she thought it would be a perfect fit for her father. The location meant he would be close to most of his family. The community also offers the security of on-site health care or in-home services should they be needed in the future, all without an entrance fee.

“I came down here, and I was very impressed with the community,” John said. “Sure enough, I moved, and I’m really very happy here.”

John quickly discovered that The Hermitage offered the perfect balance of amenities to meet his needs. “They are really very good at serving three aspects here: physical needs, mental needs and spiritual needs,” he said. John explained that he participates in fitness classes and a bible study group and that his medical needs have always been promptly met.

While John is an avid participant in many activities, it is the friendships he has made since moving that have really changed his life. “Like any place, it’s the people that really count, and I’ve made so many friends here,” he said. Many of John’s friends are fellow participants in two of the community’s most active groups: the current events group and the poetry group. “We all look out for one another, and we’ve really become very close,” he explained.

Connecting with so many fascinating peers has made John’s transition easy. However, his unwavering positive attitude has also served him well. “I think people should try to focus on the many positive aspects of life in a community like this, and there are many, many positive aspects,” he said.

At The Hermitage, John has found a retirement lifestyle with the perfect balance of social, physical, mental and spiritual offerings. Most importantly, he has also discovered a community where the residents are truly connected and deeply engaged – a place with the right chemistry.

As lifelong educators, Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share have created quite a few lesson plans. When the time came to explore retirement living options, they approached the task like true educators: with well-defined criteria, meticulous checklists and a willingness to adapt their plans.

Now residents of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., Jack and Barbara began searching for the perfect retirement lifestyle early – and considered locations from Maine to North Carolina. Ultimately, the two academics were swayed by the opportunity to return to a true campus and enjoy a college-like lifestyle.

Jack Armstrong and Barbara Share are lifelong educators who carefully reviewed
all their retirement living options before
moving to Westminster at Lake Ridge.

It was their mutual passion for education that initially brought Jack and Barbara together. Married for 30 years, the couple met while working on a curriculum-development project for the Council of Independent Colleges.

With experience as a college professor and an academic dean, Jack was leading the project. Barbara was serving on the team from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. After teaching at both the elementary and high school levels for decades, Barbara had begun teaching college courses and was the director of the continuing education program at Mount Saint Joseph.

“While I was interacting with her as a part of that team, she quickly got my attention,” Jack recalled. The couple began a long-distance relationship, which continued for several years. By the time the project ended, Jack and Barbara had decided to get married.

When Jack was offered a job at a University of Maine satellite campus, the newly married couple moved to the eastern coast of Maine. “It was a great place to live, and a marvelous place to start our marriage,” he said. He served as the academic vice president and also taught at the university before retiring.

Both nature lovers, Jack and Barbara enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife in Maine. However, they grew weary of winters that began in October and ended in May. “We retired in Maine, but after a year or so, we started looking south,” Barbara said. “I have some hip issues, and I wanted to be able to get outside without being afraid of falling.”

Jack and Barbara started planning. They made a list of must-haves. They narrowed down their locations, and they hit the road. “We took several weeks and  explored a number of areas,” Barbara recalled.

After willingly breaking two of their own rules, the couple settled on a new home in a golf community south of Wilmington, North Carolina. “We promised ourselves that we weren’t going to buy anything on that trip, and that we would never build a house,” Barbara smiled as she recalled. “We broke a couple of our rules, but it was a good experience.”

Jack and Barbara lived in the community near Wilmington for 14 years and enjoyed their proximity to the beach. However, they began to think about the next phase of their lives and started planning for retirement once again.

“With our educational backgrounds, we tend to be list makers and planners,” Jack explained. “That’s just part of our personalities.”

A passion for education brought Jack and Barbara together. They met while working on a curriculum-development project more than 30 years ago.

The planning started when Jack’s parents moved to a CCRC – a decision that was extremely uncommon among their generation. “My parents moved into a CCRC in their early 70s, and they were glad they didn’t wait any longer,” said Jack.

Frequent visits to Jack’s parents convinced Jack and Barbara that they wanted the lifestyle and security offered by a CCRC. As they began to look for the perfect community, location became a major factor. While they were living most of the year in North Carolina, the couple continued to spend the summer months at Jack’s cabin in Maine.

“Every year, we were making this 1,400-mile drive, and we’d stop in Vienna, Va., and stay with my sister for a couple of days,” Barbara recalled. When Barbara’s daughter and her family moved from California to near Richmond, Va., the D.C. Metropolitan region started to look even more attractive. During one of their visits, the couple picked up a copy of Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook and began researching local retirement options and identifying potential communities.

When Jack and Barbara visited Westminster at Lake Ridge, they knew they had found their new home. “I was really tired of filling 80 bags full of leaves every year, and I saw these beautiful cottages, and I knew I was ready,” said Barbara.

In addition to the location and the amenities, Jack and Barbara were also thrilled with the sense of community they found at Westminster. “Having been part of an educational community all of our adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere that was offered here was very appealing,” Jack said.

After moving, both Barbara and Jack quickly became involved in an array of activities. “There really are more activities offered here than you could even begin to take in,” Barbara said. “There are educational things, fun things, movies, so many interesting things – just everything you can imagine.”

Having been part of an educational community all of their adult lives, the campus-like atmosphere of Westminster at Lake Ridge appealed to Jack and Barbara.

Barbara works in the gift shop, which donates its proceeds to community service projects, and serves on the library committee. She is also a member of a memoirs group and has recently started painting for the first time in her life.

A lifelong environmentalist, Jack has been spearheading some of the community’s efforts to become more environmentally conscious while decreasing operating costs. Currently, he is working on a project to get residents to switch out all their regular light bulbs for newer, more energy efficient bulbs.

The couple also enjoys walking on the community’s nature trails and observing the many species of birds that call the community home. “It’s so beautiful here,” Barbara said. “I saw four Herons down by the lower pond just this morning.”

Beyond the wide range of activities, Barbara and Jack have enjoyed meeting so many fascinating new people and making new friends. “As soon as we moved in, we were embraced by everyone. They took us right in, and we had friends from the get-go,” Barbara recalled.

To individuals who fear moving to a retirement community, Jack and Barbara suggest considering everything they have to gain. “People don’t realize that moving to a community like Westminster will not mean losing their support network,” Jack said. “In fact, they’re going to increase their support system; they will have plenty of camaraderie, plenty of interaction and so many more friendships.”

After planning a couple of retirements, Jack and Barbara are relieved to have found the perfect home at Westminster at Lake Ridge. The couple made their lists, checked them several times and then waited until they found a community that fit their exacting criteria. Following their long search, these two lifelong educators are thrilled to be back on campus.

When we think of a “retirement community,” we tend to picture seniors at leisure, playing games and polishing their golf clubs. But that picture can be quickly shattered by a number of well-dressed CEO-types striding purposefully out the front door of Beaumont at Bryn Mawr. They’re

Beaumont at Bryn Mawr – A Gracious, Resident-Owned Community

setting off for work. For these Beaumont residents, keeping their day job into retirement is a choice. As a 2011 AARP study suggests, 31 percent of people turning 65 are still working full or part time, many simply to remain engaged. A Wells Fargo study goes a step further in saying that fully 74 percent of new retirees expect to continue working in some capacity beyond retirement.

Paul Mecray

Beaumont is a 5-star Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in the heart of the Main Line, the purview of the highly educated, accomplished and successful. No surprise then that Beaumont has its share of MDs, PhDs, CEOs, senators, and so on. These folks don’t keep their day jobs out of economic necessity. “Why would I give up my career and sit around, just because I moved to a retirement community?” asks Paul Mecray as he pats his briefcase full of nightly reading. Paul is managing director of a financial advisory firm, a leisurely 10-minute drive away. “I have spent my entire career analyzing the oil and gas industry… I am passionate about understanding things like productive capabilities of specific oilfields and the geo-politics of OPEC countries. It’s my hobby and my work wrapped into one.”

Heading off to work, Evelyn Rosen, PhD briskly walks out the door. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, she is an

Evelyn Rosen, PhD

energetic full-time professor of English at a local college. “I really resisted moving to Beaumont three years ago for fear of losing my independence,” she says. “But I actually feel more independent. Instead of the daily grind of working, shopping, cooking and cleaning, I have time to do the things I love. Everything is taken care of for me…great food, superb facilities and a wonderful staff. Sometimes I feel like I’m on vacation,” she adds with a smile.So what’s going on at Beaumont? A 2009 study by ASHA (American Senior Housing Association) found that the average age of new residents of CCRCs was 81. That’s certainly older and more “retired” than these vibrant professionals.

James Zug

As James Zug, another working resident, puts it, “We moved to Beaumont at the perfect time… while we were fully able to manage the move mentally and physically.” Jim retired from a ‘Big-4’ accounting firm when he was 60, moved to Beaumont at 72, and is fully engrossed in his encore career: angel investing in tech and pharma start-ups and serving on the boards of four major public companies.That’s more than a full day’s work; yet Jim says brightly, “Life is so much simpler now. And my wife and I didn’t lose anything…like control over our lives. Beaumont is resident- owned and resident-run, so you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want to be in decisions that affect you and the community.”

Margit Novack, expert on senior relocation and moving, echoes Jim’s sentiment. “The main reasons seniors wait too long to make the move are that they can’t let go of their “stuff” – the big house, the antiques, the mementoes – and they fear a loss of control. But doing nothing until age or events overtake you…that is a loss of control.”

Adolf “Dolf” Paier

Jim introduces Adolf (“Dolf”) Paier, who has a twinkle in his eye and a handshake that demands respect. Dolf has been a resident for a little over two years, “an escapee from the hassles of maintaining my old house,” he said. Dolf also started his career at a ‘Big-4’ accounting firm, but followed his entrepreneurial bent as President/COO of a large technology and healthcare incubator, CEO of an early stage medical software company, and now board member of a number of public companies. As a “side job”, he is chair of Beaumont’s finance committee “proud of our positive balance sheet” and board member and treasurer of a local arts university.“I like going to my office and interacting with other professionals… I call it being externally engaged while internally taken care of,” said Dolf. When asked what prompted his move to Beaumont, he smiles and says, “My wife. She was a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and insisted we move to a CCRC with a Nurse Practitioner on staff. For me, it’s Beaumont’s location, its non-institutional character and the fact that it is owned and run by residents.”

Granted, these “retired” professionals provide only a snapshot, but they exude energy worth bottling. They turn the old notions of retirement living upside down. As 7,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day and represent the leading edge of a senior population swell, will a working retirement become the new normal?

Mr. Paier’s words “externally engaged…internally taken care of ” perhaps sum it up best. Words to live by, regardless of age.

In 1681, William Penn specified that settlers coming to the lands granted to him by English King Charles II (Charles called it “Pennsylvania”) must preserve one acre of trees for every five acres cleared. Their descendants extended Penn’s far-sighted conservation measures by planting and studying collections of trees. Nearly 300 years after Penn, Philadelphia-area Quakers opened Kendal~Crosslands Communities, a continuing care retirement community in Kennett Square, Pa., and immediately turned to improving the environment.

The beautiful grounds of Kendal-Crosslands Communities features mature trees and rolling hills.

It is therefore not surprising that Kendal still maintains a focus on sustaining the natural environment. The campus features a 500-acre, arboretum- like grounds surrounded by forests, meadows, tranquil water features, luscious manicured gardens, and rolling hills. Preserving the campus’ capacity to sustain and inspire requires a responsibility towards the earth that has been inherited from previous generations. It is the community’s intention to leave the next generation a legacy of sustainably managed resources that is rich in beauty and diversity.

Residents enjoy spending time outdoors on the 500-acre campus.

Both staff and residents take great care in maintaining and improving the landscaped grounds and have been very active in the stewardship of natural resources. On the campus, plans were established to restore a rich diversity of plants that provide native habitat for birds and wildlife. In the past few years, resident volunteers and staff have planted more than 500 woody plants in the forests and countless wildflower plugs in the meadows. Residents enjoy life and the natural beauty of the world around them, and it’s evident given their countless hours of labor to sustain it.

As a result of the efforts of the staff horticulturist and many residents, Kendal was awarded their official arboretum status, through the Morton Register of Arboreta. Joint committees work with horticulture and nature conservancy groups on each of the campuses to sponsor public events, service programs for area youth, educational programs and other events for the residents.

Kendal began 40 years ago in historic Chester County, adjacent to Longwood Gardens, and the Kendal organization has since grown to 12 other diverse Kendal communities in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest regions. Opportunities to shape one’s social, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual life are combined with lifetime health care (within newly built and renovated health and wellness residences) and are all infused with the traditional Quaker values of integrity, care and respect. Consisting of four communities, Kendal at Longwood, Crosslands, Coniston and Cartmel, Kendal offers diverse choices in residential cottages and apartment living, featuring up to nearly 1,800 square foot homes with full basements. Neighboring local landmarks such as Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Battlefield, Winterthur, Brandywine River Museum, and local vibrant towns including Kennett Square and West Chester all contribute to the well-being of residents.

One of the area’s most highly regarded continuing care communities, Kendal has a long legacy to build upon and one to leave as well. Residents come from not only the local area but also from across the country, and they inevitably add to the diverse nature of the community’s outdoor spaces. The grounds of Kendal are a place of peace and tranquility, inspiration and joy; a place that supports each resident’s individual needs and interests, while reflecting the richness of community living.

He was a newly elected president in search of quality advisors. She was a worthy, but reluctant vice president. Their unlikely partnership had results that no one could have imagined.

While Doug and Adele Trout were not taking over the Oval Office or formulating far-reaching social and economic policies, they were changing lives. They were leading the Residents’ Association at Cadbury at Lewes, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Delaware. They were also, quite unexpectedly, falling in love.

Doug and Adele Trout both moved to Cadbury at Lewes after reviewing multiple retirement living options.

One of Cadbury at Lewes’ self-proclaimed “pioneers,” Adele moved to the community before its roads were paved. Shortly after moving, she was appointed as the corresponding secretary of the residents’ association. She served in that role for several years before being asked to run for president. Adele quickly declined, noting that she had too many other responsibilities, including family, education and church.

“Later, when Doug was elected president, I was asked to be his vice president,” Adele recalled. “I still thought I had too much to do, but they made a very compelling argument that I should step up and take more responsibility for this community that I cherish.”

Despite her initial reluctance, Doug and Adele proved to be natural partners. “We were just immediately compatible, and our sense of humor was really on target,” Adele said. Together, the new leaders were able to accomplish quite a bit for the community, but it was their work on a tribute for some close friends that transformed their partnership from professional to personal.

Doug and Adele worked long hours preparing a special send off for their Cadbury friends who were moving from the community to be closer to family. Doug remembered, “One evening, after we had worked on the project for some time, I was helping her put on her coat, and I turned her around and told her I wanted a hug. That really started it.”

“It was at that point that we started to become closer, and then within several months we were falling in love,” Adele recalled fondly. “Love really did capture us when we least expected it.”

Married in January, Doug and Adele are Thrilled to have found love once again.

The couple’s effortless courtship led to a simple proposal. “We were at his apartment, and he just said, ‘Will you marry me?’ I said, ‘I’m sorry; I didn’t hear you,’” Adele laughed as she recalled the moment. “He repeated the question, and I said, ‘Sure.’ That was it. We started planning the wedding that night.”In a mere five weeks, Adele and Doug made their own invitations, selected a venue and a minister, and planned every detail of the small but meaningful affair. From the beautiful chairs that they sat in at the chancel – because of Doug’s restricted mobility – to the carefully selected music, the couple made sure that every aspect of their wedding was personalized to their tastes. For two people who never expected to find love again, the January wedding was a great start to a new year and a new life.

Of course, neither Adele nor Doug is a stranger to new starts. Both moved from large family homes to Cadbury at Lewes after reviewing multiple retirement living options. While their paths to Cadbury were very different, they both knew that the community’s combination of a scenic beach location and full-service retirement living options would provide an unparalleled lifestyle.

A native of Lewes, Adele retired from the state government after 34 years of service. As the supervisor of the Sussex County museums, she had the opportunity to help establish new museums and improve exhibits and programs at existing facilities.

In addition to her work with the government, Adele was also the mother of four children. Widowed at 48, Adele remained in her family home and made the most of her independent lifestyle, traveling extensively and helping out with her eight grandchildren.

When Adele started to think about retirement planning, she considered moving closer to her children. Then she found Cadbury at Lewes. “I really couldn’t think of a better place to live than Lewes, and the community just seemed tailor made for me,” she said.

Since moving Adele is relieved that she no longer has to worry about home repairs and yard work and can instead spend her time giving back to the community. She volunteers with a nearby after school program for at-risk kids and is very active in regional Presbyterian Church activities.

Born in Detroit, Doug knew early on that he wanted to be a minister. After serving in the Army, he attended seminary in Chicago and served his own church in Michigan.

Just a few years into his career, Doug decided that he wanted to change directions and work with small colleges. He obtained a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Michigan State University and was elected president of Tusculum College in Tennessee shortly after graduating.

“I had the rare opportunity to practice what I had written about in my doctoral studies,” Doug said. “I had such a good time doing this work that I decided to start my own business helping small colleges and universities improve their offerings and their bottom lines.”

While serving as the president and vice president of the Residents’ Association, Doug and Adele built a strong partnership that gradually changed from professional to personal.

Doug and his team focused on helping schools enhance their academic offerings, student recruitment efforts, fundraising efforts and campus life. “For more than 25 years, I worked with colleges and schools from Alaska to Arizona to Maine, as well as overseas in Rome, Jerusalem, West Africa, Bolivia and Bangkok, and it was just amazing work,” he said.After retiring from his position as the president of another small college in California, Doug moved to Virginia, where two of his seven children live. While he enjoyed his new home, he quickly realized that he needed to start planning for the future.

Suffering from a combination of severe arthritis as well as post-polio syndrome, Doug knew he needed to find an accessible living environment with the security of available care when he needed it. “I looked at CCRCs in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, but then I heard about Cadbury, and I just really loved it out here,” he recalled.

“The whole experience of moving into Cadbury and meeting all these new people, making all these new friends, has just been a very rich experience,” Doug said. Adele added, “I thought about all the practical reasons to move – the security, the dining, the lack of home maintenance – but it was a wonderful shock to me to form all these really high-quality friendships so quickly. That is golden.”

While finding friends is wonderful, Adele and Doug realize that finding a partner is simply amazing. After all, a great partner can make any endeavor easier, whether it’s running a resident association or building a new life. As Adele and Doug embark on their married life together, they are immensely grateful to have a partner in love.

As the sun begins to rise over the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, a few dedicated swimmers prepare to take the plunge. Even at this early hour, their enthusiasm is palpable.

These swimmers are residents of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Winchester, Va., featuring a state-of-the-art aquatic center. While the swimmers certainly enjoy the physical benefits of working out, it is the social connections that keep them coming back.

“The pool is really a social meeting place,” explained Kathy Headley, Westminster-Canterbury’s Wellness and Vitality Manager. “Of course, we’re working out at the same time and doing valuable exercises that most of us can’t do on land.”

While many residents swim purely for recreation, Kathy goes on to note that some of the community’s swimmers are recovering from a joint replacement, coping with arthritis or managing a chronic illness. “They can do so much more in the water: run, jump, and walk, and it’s more resistance and just a better workout,” she said.

As several face personal health challenges, the swimmers have become part of a tight-knit group in an extremely welcoming community. “Even though there are nearly 400 residents, this community is one big family,” said Kathy.

Westminster-Canterbury’s swimmers unanimously agree. While they are certainly dedicated to their workouts, they are even more committed to their fellow swimmers, and they are always looking for new recruits.

A Pool Ambassador

An avid lap swimmer, Paul Ziluca has helped unite Westminster-Canterbury’s growing group of swimmers by encouraging residents to take full advantage of the oversized pool. Paul started swimming to increase his lung capacity and battle his worsening asthma. In the past four years, he has quietly lent a hand to make sure the aquatic programming meets the needs of the various types of swimmers on campus.

“When I came here, I did my best to avoid doing anything. I was going to be really retired,” Paul recalled. “Within just a couple of years, I was involved in everything. It’s been very engaging for me and quite an eye opener about how to manage your life as you get older.”

While Paul is certainly proud of his own aquatic accomplishments, he beams when he speaks of his wife, Louise, and her achievements in the pool. “We moved here because of my wife’s Parkinson’s disease,” Paul said. “Now, she’s in a
wheelchair, but this summer, she participated in the aquatic walking event in our Senior Olympics, and she won a gold medal!” Paul went on to explain that Louise’s determination has become a source of inspiration for other residents.

Aquatic Athletes (and Friends)

Bob and Cari Sherwood were inspired by her aunt to move to a retirement community early, so they could enjoy the lifestyle. The couple is now among the youngest residents at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, and they have never regretted their move.

“We’re just delighted that we moved. Within six months, we got to know so many pleasant people, and we’ve become very close to a number of them,” Bob said.

In addition to their new friends, the Sherwoods also love all the community amenities, including the pool. They routinely share this perk with their grandson, who enjoys open swim time when he visits each week. Bob also participates in an advanced aquatic class – even occasionally teaching it – which has become a balm for his spirit.

“The class is more than just a class,” he said. “It’s become a social event in and of itself. It’s a lot more than just swimming.”

Bob goes on to explain that in addition to aquatic exercises the group enjoys singing traditional songs and taking advantage of the acoustics in the pool area. The group also selects a word of the day, which they use as part of their workouts.

“I think the people in the class are, if you will, missionaries for the benefits of exercise,” Bob said. The class members are also one example among many of what life is like in a strong community: full of camaraderie and support.

Swim Buddies 

The Sherwoods certainly aren’t the only Westminster-Canterbury residents who benefit from the accessibility of aquatic exercise. Elizabeth and Jimmie Harp swim six days a week, all year round. They started swimming because Elizabeth was experiencing back pain.

“The doctor told me that if I didn’t keep moving, soon I wouldn’t be able to move,” Elizabeth said. Jimmie became her swim buddy, and the two now enjoy spending early mornings together in the water.

The couple moved to Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury three-and-a-half years ago after some of their friends exposed them to the wonderful lifestyle. “I wanted to be around more people and see them on a more regular basis,” said Elizabeth. “Too many people say they’re not ready, but we wanted to move before it was an emergency.”

Since moving, the couple has become very involved in the community. Jimmie is a devoted woodworker and has repaired furniture and built custom pieces for his fellow residents in Westminster-Canterbury’s woodworking shop. Elizabeth enjoys the community’s many entertainment and volunteer opportunities.

A Great Comeback

Lydia Mefford was desperately looking for support when she discovered Westminster-Canterbury. Her husband, who had Alzheimer’s disease, had recently passed away. As his primary caregiver, she quickly realized she needed friendship and interaction. She found a wonderful group of people who sustained her through her grieving process and were there for her when she faced her own health challenges.

After a traumatic fall resulted in a broken meniscus and excruciating pain, Lydia benefited from the physical and emotional support of the community’s residents and staff. “When my orthopedic surgeon said I needed a physical therapist and a therapeutic pool, I knew just where to go,” Lydia smiled as she recalled. “I came home to Westminster-Canterbury and spoke with our physical therapist immediately. After two weeks of his magical maneuvers, the pain was going away. Now, I can walk in high heels anytime I want.”

After regaining her mobility, Lydia kept swimming. She’s now able to fully enjoy all that her new home has to offer. “I’ve never had more fun in my whole life,” Lydia exclaimed. “I really think perhaps I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

True Team Spirit

Some folks dive right in. Others wade in more slowly. These divergent approaches could be used to describe both swimming and retirement living. Some retirees make the move early and never look back; others take their time making a decision. However, almost all retirees find that once they take the plunge into retirement living, they quickly discover new interests, great friends and old passions.

In the wee hours of the morning, a few dedicated swimmers make their way across the quiet campus of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury — excited to greet the dawning of a new day and eager to take the plunge once again. Having discovered a pastime with unmatched physical, social and emotional benefits, they are now busy soaking up all that retirement living has to offer.

Gil and Barbara Stein know this simple fact well. Recently, the couple gave their children an incredible gift and quickly discovered the joy of giving. After carefully reviewing the nearby options, the Steins signed a contract on a new villa in Waverly Heights, a lifecare community in Gladwyne, Pa. Waverly Heights is a Main Line community located a mere 10 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Pa.

“We decided moving here would be a gift to our children, since they would never have to worry about taking care of their parents,” Barbara explained. “Since moving, we’ve discovered that it was really a gift for ourselves.”

While the Steins originally planned to move to Waverly Heights in 2012, they decided to relocate a year earlier based on the sage advice of current residents. “All the residents uniformly recommended that we come early and enjoy the lifestyle,” Barbara recalled.

Now that the transition is over, the couple enthusiastically seconds this advice. “To our peers who are on the fence, I would say, based on my own experience, it is better to move here five years early than one day late,” Gil said. “I couldn’t agree more,” Barbara added. “We are enjoying the wonderful lifestyle we have here, and we know that the care here is excellent if and when we need it.”

An alumna of Vassar College, Barbara married Gil on her graduation day. The couple eventually settled in Gladwyne, where they raised two sons and a daughter. While Barbara was a full-time wife and mother, she always made time to give back to her community.

For more than 40 years, Barbara worked on the Vassar Show House Scholarship program. The group partnered with interior designers and landscapers to redecorate estate homes and gardens for public tours. “It was a wonderful experience, and we all became very close friends,” Barbara said. “During our time together, we raised almost four million dollars for scholarships.”

As part of another unique partnership, Barbara became a founding board member of the first hospice program in the Philadelphia area. “Hospice really is a remarkable program,” she said, recalling as one of her most memorable experiences her direct volunteer work with a young family.

A native of Philadelphia and an avid sports fan, Gil’s career path has reflected his many passions. An Army Veteran who served during WW II, Gil graduated from Temple University and Boston University Law School. His varied and prestigious work history has included high-ranking positions in Philadelphia city government and positions as a law firm partner, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, and president and CEO of the National Hockey League (NHL) – just to name a few.

While he found all his various careers rewarding, his work with the NHL married his passion for law with his love for sports. “Whatever I was doing was my favorite at the time, but being involved with the NHL was probably the thing I most identified with,” Gil said.

While he was never a hockey player himself, Gil has always been a huge fan and getting the opportunity to serve as the president of the NHL was an enormous honor. Gil loved working with the players and coaches and advancing the game. After retiring, he wrote the book POWER PLAYS—An Inside Look at the Big Business of the National Hockey League.

As for their lifestyle today, the Steins are enjoying a mix of new and old interests with lots of new friends. Barbara, a self-proclaimed “professional volunteer,” is still pursuing her passion for giving back. She has joined Waverly’s marketing, special events and movie committees. She also participates in the daily physical activity options, ranging from aquatics to line dancing.

Gil continues to work part-time as an adjunct professor of sports law at Villanova University Law School. He is also using his newfound free time to pursue volunteer activities. In fact, he recently became the editor of the Waverly Heights monthly magazine, Waverly Window. He also participates in Waverly’s putting competition and is a member of the traveling putting team.

“The thing I like best about living here is that you can continue to live the life you were living before, or if you want to get involved, there are myriad activities available,” Gil said. “We’ve always had a nice social life,” Barbara added. “The difference is now it is all right here—right outside our door.”

In fact, the Steins knew almost immediately that they would be most comfortable at Waverly Heights. When considering a life care community, they looked at nearly all of the local options, but always felt at home at Waverly.

“Beauty is terribly important to me; I love green space, and this community is just outstanding in that area,” Barbara said. Gil concurred, “We were very attracted to the natural beauty and lovely living accommodations, and once we came here, we found the activities were just wonderful as well.”

The activities and the people have made what is undoubtedly a picturesque location a true home for the Steins. “The biggest thing we have here is a sense of community,” Barbara said. “The residents and staff are there for each other, and it is just a really warm environment.”

Having found that sense of community that is missing in so much of adult life, the Steins have never looked back. “So many people tell us that they are not ready to move, but I’m not really sure what that means,” Barbara said. As a trained social worker with a Master’s in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College, Barbara saw firsthand the importance of planning for one’s later years. She had been an advocate of lifecare communities long before considering their own move; however, she could have never dreamt how much moving would enrich their quality of life.

From pursuing beloved activities to hosting new friends, the Steins are fully enjoying everything that Waverly Heights has to offer. When they were researching life care communities, they thought they were giving a gift to their children. When they moved, they realized that the gift was really for them—and that it just keeps giving. Today, the Steins are thrilled to be literally living in the present.

“This is really a village; it’s not just a name,” said Bill Jadney, who made the move to Twining Village in March with his wife, Elaine. “The community is not big, but it is not tiny; you just wouldn’t believe how nice it is to live in a genuine village.”

June Clothier, who just moved to the community in May, concurred, “I love the relaxed atmosphere here, and the people are very friendly. There is a real sense of community.”

For the Jadneys, their first taste of life in a strong community came just a few months after they moved in, when Bill fell and broke his ankle. “The first thing we said was thank goodness we moved here,” recalled Elaine. “I was so impressed that the following day our executive director, Philip Hickey, greeted me by name and asked about my husband.”

Since day one, June has enjoyed the community’s amenities, and she continues to get involved in new activities. “I truly love no longer having to cook my dinner, and the food is great,” she said. “I also workout in the gym three days a week, and I’m looking forward to helping in the new library.”

Like good neighbors in any nice community, the staff and residents of Twining Village are constantly working to make their community better. “The staff is so incredible,” Elaine said. “From the maintenance folks to Jerry Gallagher and Kylie Emery in Marketing, everyone was so helpful with our transition.” Not surprisingly, Twining Village’s dedicated staff is juggling several improvement projects in various stages of completion.

A beautiful new dining room was recently completed, as were enclosed and climate-controlled walkways between the multiple buildings on campus. “Regardless of the weather − rain, snow or cold − we can walk inside from our apartment to the dining room or the wellness center or the auditorium,” said Bill.  However, the Jadneys often walk outside to enjoy the wooded campus featuring mature trees and garden courtyards.

There is also construction underway that will completely renovate the reception area. “If the new reception area is anything like the new dining area, it is going to be amazing,” Elaine said. “I loved the community before, and it just keeps getting nicer.”

Of course, even with all the new improvements, the one amenity that continues to captivate new and old residents alike is the intimacy of the Village. “This is really where everyone knows your name,” Elaine said. “I have been to other retirement communities that felt like hotels.” June added, “The people here are wonderful, and if you want to participate, there is always something to get involved in.”

At Twining Village, every improvement and each resident helps to nurture the dynamic spirit that makes the community a true village. As each new resident discovers, it does, in fact, take a village to create a rewarding retirement.

For more information about Twining Village, visit http://www.diakon.org/twiningvillage

Following this passion led naturally to many other interests. Whether crafting a vase for one of her favorite Ikebana flower arrangements, experimenting with glazes or teaching others how to throw a pot, Sylvia is doing what she loves to do.

While teaching pottery in the Pine Run Craft Barn, Sylvia Roman came to know Pine Run and the people who live there. A full service retirement community owned and operated by Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run is popular among active and artistic seniors. Drawing inspiration from a location well known for harboring creative types, Sylvia’s ceramics classes came alive with resident artists, designers and adventurous others taking full advantage of the new instruction and energy.

An accomplished potter, Sylvia is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Crafts. She has exhibited locally including in Philadelphia and has been featured in shows and galleries throughout Canada and the United States. She became known for her skill in the ancient primitive Japanese process of Raku, where the piece is grabbed from a blistering hot fire and smothered in sawdust and leaves, allowing the smoke to chemically alter the liquid glaze and adding a unique metallic luster.

“My husband Robin assisted me pulling the pieces from the flames and was relieved when I shifted my focus.” explained Sylvia, “He jokes about finally growing his singed eyebrows back.”

The couple met as young University students in Canada, Robin destined for pharmaceutical research and Sylvia for pottery. After living and traveling all over the world, they found Bucks County to be as beautiful as any place they had ever been.

Sylvia credits their happy marriage to having similar tastes but different approaches. “Robin has a Ph.D. and works with his brain; I have to jump in and learn by actually doing it,” she said.

“We went to France last year to attend cooking classes and had such a great experience; we are going to take a class in Italy next. Robin is a wonderful cook,” said Sylvia. “I like it too, and I know how to debone a turkey.”

To support these interests and more, a unique 1,300 square foot cottage with a vaulted ceiling and skylights is taking shape at Pine Run. The new cottage features a gourmet kitchen boasting all the bells and whistles, a media room and a potter’s personal studio. Ebony cabinetry will complement a large Chinese brush painting of bamboo and horses.

“We found the painting in our travels; the design sensibilities are wonderful, and I love horses,” explained Sylvia.

Relocating for a time to Great Britain for Robin’s job meant that Sylvia had to sell her kiln and equipment, trading it all in for jodhpurs and boots. She seized this new opportunity to ride around Surrey’s country estates. Most fun was participating in old-fashioned pub rides full of good fun that held the promise of comfort, camaraderie and a pint at the end of a long ride.

This same adventurous spirit now leads Sylvia to Pine Run Community in Doylestown. “I really love it here,” she said. “I can’t wait to be able to walk right out of my door and over to the Craft Barn.” She says she feels a complete sense of happiness in this creative environment, working in the muddy water of a slip bucket, using her donated potter’s wheel as a teaching tool. As part of this new adventure, Sylvia is excited to see others give rise to a curvy pot or vase to sell at the Fall Festival or to be wrapped and given as a treasured personal gift.