“My time here has been an exciting adventure,” said Dot, who was actually unsure she was ready for a retirement community at the time of her move 11 years ago.

“I came kicking and screaming,” she said. We were snowbirds in Naples, Florida, and I couldn’t imagine a better lifestyle. This was truly a dramatic change for us but, moving to Freedom Village Brandywine was one of the best moves we’ve made. I thought I would settle here to bake bread and make jelly, but thus far I haven’t had time to do either.”

Dot’s husband Mich, who won a Silver Star during the Battle of the Bulge and was disabled from war wounds, saw an ad in Military Officer magazine for Freedom Village Brandywine. The community is located in West Brandywine Township in Chester County and owned by Brookdale Senior Living®, the largest provider of retirement residences in the United States.

Originally from New York, Dot spent her career in education. She was a third grade teacher, a Head Start program director and an educational director of six private schools from New York to Puerto Rico. Formerly a consultant with the New York State Department of Education and an educational project developer for Warner Communications, Dot has also written 13 books for teachers with Incentive Publications.

Dot’s teaching background made her the perfect recruit for the educational television programming launched by Freedom Village’s residents — none of whom had any prior television experience. She enjoys collaborating with teams of residents who generate program ideas, write scripts, and operate the cameras and computer equipment in the onsite studio. The channel content includes news and entertainment that is broadcasted to residents in independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

The proof is in the ratings — as they say in the television business, and resident ratings for Dot’s show, “Focus,” are high. The team interviews with the community management, financial advisors, medical experts, and other residents quickly connect the audience to what is happening in the community. The cameras often follow Dot to the scene of the story — perhaps into the kitchen for a cooking demonstration; or into a studio to film woodworkers or artists as they craft their work. When the new Terrace Homes were being built last winter, Dot and her crew wore hardhats and boots to capture the progress of construction on snowy days.

Dot’s latest adventure involved learning to play the drums. “I practiced with chop sticks for a July 4th Spirit of ’76 show since I’d never drummed before.”

Beyond broadcasting, however, the opportunities onsite for Dot and her peers are endless, whether it is participating in Tai Chi and water aerobics, sightseeing on a daytrip, or simply enjoying the relaxing environment. “I love the trips to the museums in New York and Philadelphia,” she said. “We live close to many cultural areas and close to the countryside with the Amish and the plain and simple life.”

There is no question Dot’s life has been filled with many exciting adventures since her arrival, and if her past life is any indication of what is still to come, Dot is in for a lot more excitement at Freedom Village Brandywine.

To whom do I owe this welcomed addition to my vocabulary? Andrew Blechman, the author of “Leisureville.”

Blechman tells the story of how his beloved neighbors made the decision to leave his New England neighborhood for the largest retirement community in the nation, The Villages in Central Florida. His neighbors spoke so highly of this community and their decision to leave that it piqued his interest to experience it firsthand.

In “Leisureville,” Blechman introduces you to a wide variety of individuals that have made The Villages their home. Throughout the book, he explores why they made the decision to move and how they feel their life in The Villages is better, worse or challenging. Most importantly though, he challenges the notion that a community should legally be allowed to segregate by age.

I have read countless books written by “aging experts” in my 20-year career. As I reflect on it, “Leisureville” has probably had more impact than any of them. I think this is due to the fact that Blechman approached this book from the simple perspective of someone who was curious about why his neighbor was moving. His objective approach and lack of a previous connection to “aging services” allowed him to be critical of the concept of gated retirement communities which essentially promote the concept of age segregation.

“Leisureville” explores age segregation primarily in housing and community development. Since reading this book nearly a year ago, I have become much more aware that this segregation is widespread in all aspects of our society, and that there is a wall between the generations that is getting dangerously higher. In many ways I have been an integral part of building this wall. I credit Blechman with helping me to see my “industry” through a different lens, and for having the courage to challenge aspects of this business that might be acceptable but don’t make sense.

“Leisureville” is an entertaining book with lots of interesting characters, most notably the “Viagra munching Mr. Midnight!”

Order the book at: http://astore.amazon.com/guidtoretiliv-20/detail/0802144187

“We know people love their homes, and want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. That is why it is so important to make simple changes to be safe and comfortable in your home,” says Elinor Ginzler, Director of Livable Communities at AARP. “There are easy and inexpensive ways to update your home to accommodate everyone and you don’t have to be an expert to do it. The earlier you start identifying and planning for improvements, the better your chance of enjoying your home for years to come.”

h3. Reasons Why Seniors Choose to Stay in their Homes

There are a variety of reasons why those 50 and older want to stay in their homes:

* Attachment to their home and neighborhood
* Close ties to friends, family and neighbors
* Proximity to favorite amenities, such as a grocery store they love, a cleaner they’ve always gone to or a favorite walking trail

Seniors can face physical challenges that can make it difficult, and sometimes impossible to stay in their homes without some degree of change to their environment. In fact, studies indicate that half of all falls happen at home and research suggests that one-third of home accidents can be prevented by easy home updates and preventative maintenance.

h3. Features to Avoid When Planning for Retirement at Home

* Low lighting
* Stairs with no handrails
* Loose area rugs
* Entrances with many steps
* Hard-to-grasp faucet handles and door knobs
* High cabinets

However, just as we do, homes themselves age too. It’s important for homeowners to make updates to ensure that their home remains a safe and comfortable environment. You wouldn’t skip out on your annual physical, so you shouldn’t neglect to assess your home.

h3. Steps to Make a Home Safer for Seniors

Aging parents, as well as their adult children, can take advantage of the fall season to prepare home for the winter season and holiday guests. Older adults and those who want them to feel safe and comfortable, can take easy, inexpensive steps to make home the ‘sweetest’ it has ever been.

The following 10 steps can make home a safer and more comfortable place:

# Install handrails on both sides of all steps (inside and outside)
# Secure all carpets and area rugs with double-sided tape
# Install easy-to-grasp shaped handles for all drawers and cabinet doors
# Use brighter bulbs in all settings
# Install nightlights in all areas of night activity
# Add reflective, non-slip tape on all non-carpeted stairs
# Install lever handles for all doors
# Place a bench near entrances for setting down purchases and resting
# Install closet lights, as well as adjustable rods and shelves
# Install rocker light switches and consider illuminated ones in select areas

Local hardware stores carry many of the products to make simple updates to homes for the aging. For more extensive renovations, homeowners should consider hiring a contractor who is licensed, certified and bonded to do work in that particular location.

h3. Things to Consider When Purchasing a New Home for Retirement

For those who are considering purchasing a new home for their retirement, assessing its livability is critical before making a purchase.

* Is there a step-free entrance into the central living area of the home?
* Are the doorways wide enough to move in a big-screen TV, or in some cases, a wheelchair or walker?
* Is there a bathroom and bedroom on the main floor?
* For a loved one with mobility problems, can the bathtub, toilet and shower be easily accessed?

These are just a few questions older adults should consider asking as they prepare to buy, ensuring that their retirement home will support them comfortably as they age.

AARP offers a wealth of information to guide homeowners in retrofitting and updating their home. To learn more about home design and how to evaluate your home, visit www.aarp.org/homedesign.

Upon his graduation, he practiced law as a public defender in the District for a short time, but soon he had problems with walking and balancing that were caused by an illness. He couldn’t drive anymore, and moving around was very difficult. He knew he couldn’t keep living in such a challenging state, but wanted to stay surrounded by his family and pets in his own home.

“I recognized my limitations,” said Admiral Sinclair, who lives in Great Falls, Va. “I think I have a pretty good attitude toward being helped.”

Ginny, his wife of 55 years, also needed assistance due to physical limitations and managing a children’s shop she owns. According to the Admiral, the decision to seek the services of Anova Senior Kare Inc. was simple. The wife of their pastor at The Episcopal Church of Great Falls recommended Anova Senior Kare with enthusiasm.

“Having our caregiver, Annette Little, for several mornings a week significantly lightened our workload, and reduced the stress of worrying about my being alone for my wife,” he said. “Annette provides pleasant company and assistance.”

Every day is different for the Sinclair’s and Annette. Anova Senior Kare Inc. usually assists with everyday activities such as companionship, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, meal planning and preparation, and safety assistance. Annette is currently helping Admiral Sinclair with his business tasks, and comes to his home about 16 hours each week.

“She is very helpful, and has got a wonderful personality,” he said. “We get along great.”

After a few short, group excursions on small lines out of Baltimore, the Kauffmans graduated to international carriers with exotic ports of call. Name a port, and they have most likely been there: a sea, and they have sailed it. Their most recent excursion took them to South America. During the 26-day adventure, they plied the waters of the Western Caribbean and the vast Amazon River. Among their favorite trips was a journey that took them to Singapore, India, through the Suez Canal and onto the Mediterranean Sea. The seasoned sailors have even been rewarded for their dedication to cruising. “We even earned ‘frequent sailor’ medallions after 100 days at sea, and that was a few years ago,” the couple points out.

Finding the right traveling partner is often the key to an enjoyable trip. Clare and Edgar found their match early in life; they have been traveling well together ever since. After spending their youth in the Lehigh Valley and honeymoon years in the baseball town of Williamsport, the Kauffmans settled in Denton, a small town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Like every young couple, the two were eager to build a life together and looked forward to the adventure of new territory. Ed eventually started a well-drilling company, spending days on the road and in the field; Clare managed the books and the business. Their teamwork and diligence paid off; the company flourished during the boom days of suburban development.

While establishing a successful business, the Kauffmans managed to find the time to nurture a multitude of interests. The pair danced competitively for 40 years, riding the square dance circuit and performing in exhibitions and competitions. Their easy grace together earned them many prizes, and they climbed steadily up the competitive ladder.

The Kauffmans also love to golf, and the sport has been a mainstay of their leisure time. Even today they enjoy a spirited, competitive relationship on the course. The couple looks for a course wherever they go, and their search did not end after retirement. Proximity to a course was one of the many factors they considered when choosing a retirement living community.

Snowbirds, the Kauffmans spend their winters in the tropical south, fed by a steady diet of sunshine and golf. The decision to move south for a few months of the year was simple; but determining where and how to live the rest of the year required a serious study of their emotional and economic realities. After all, their second location would be home base, and needed to feed their spirit and fit their budget.

By the time Clare and Ed decided to make a retirement living decision, they had done plenty of thinking. They would not be content to simply sit on the porch and mine their memories; they wanted to move, to follow their passions and create new memories. Like many older adults, they also wanted to retire without worry: to be able to go and do as they pleased and not break the bank in the process. Yearning for a secure setting and deeper connections, they sought a community that was focused on amenities, relationships, wellness and lifetime care. Now they just had to find it.

Not surprisingly, the long-time sailors looked to their love of cruising to solve their retirement living conundrum. “The beauty of cruising is that it provides a secure foundation. All of the services and support you need are onboard, so you can truly enjoy your adventure and see the world without worry,” notes Ed.

Thinking about all that they loved about cruising, led the couple to seek a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). From the Kauffman’s perspective, life onboard a cruise ship is analogous to life in a retirement community: their needs are met; services are always offered; flexibility is afforded; comfort is guaranteed; and most importantly, exploring is encouraged.

Knowing they wanted a CCRC, the Kauffman’s started their search in their home state of Pennsylvania. But they quickly realized that there were compelling reasons to live in Delaware-including milder weather and lower taxes. Ed points out, “It’s surprising, but a few degrees in latitude make a big difference in both temperature and disposable income.”

Significant senior tax benefits in Delaware include zero sales tax, no state levy on Social Security benefits and generous limits on taxing of retirement income. And in Sussex County, the Kauffmans had no trouble finding the small town atmosphere they loved in the Keystone State.

Manor House in Sussex County emerged as a clear leader on the Kauffman’s list of choices. Clare says, “Manor House’s location is perfect. It is equally close to the Atlantic and the Chesapeake.” Ed adds, “The community is also far enough from urban congestion to assure peace and quiet, but close enough to take advantage of cultural opportunities.” Manor House offered a full menu of services and the promise of continuing care, both of which were appealing to the Kauffmans.

At Manor House, Clare and Edgar have found their sea legs. They lead a balanced, secure and enriched life. And even after six decades together, they are still working on their short game, perfecting their dance routine and planning their next shipboard adventure.

For Mary Slaughter, home has consisted of two key places. The resident of Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge grew up in Charlottesville, Va., but spent a large portion of her life in Illinois where she worked at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. The decision to move back into the town where she grew up came as a surprise, even to her.

“I had never really thought about ever coming back to Charlottesville,” said Mary. “Now, I’m playing golf at the same club I played tennis at when I was growing up. I have come full circle.”

Mary grew up and attended public school in Charlottesville, and had a father who was a university professor. She went to college at the University of Virginia where she was always very active, playing on the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team and studying to become a physical education teacher.

“There was no women’s team at that time, so I just played with the men,” she said.

Because of her successful tennis background as a young woman, she made her way straight to the top upon graduation. Her first job out of school was as a professor of physical education at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

“I had an extensive background in tennis that enabled me to jump right into the college level,” she recalled.

When she decided to get her master’s degree, she chose the University of Illinois. When the institution began to prioritize research more than teaching, she went on to get her Ph.D. Even though she was busy working with the Physical Fitness Research lab at the university, she still participated in tennis tournaments.

After spending almost her whole career at the university and later as manager at a tennis club in Illinois, Mary became ill. During this time, she said she began to appreciate how much her family meant to her.

“It made me realize the importance of family and the need to be near them,” she said. “And it’s really interesting so many of the people who are at Westminster are here to be near their children.”

Mary moved into Westminster Canterbury about a year and a half ago. While she admitted she initially had difficultly adjusting to a new situation, she said most of her concerns were put to rest after just a couple months.

“It was remarkable,” she said. “Although it was challenging at first, I re-connected with old friends and made new ones rather quickly,”.

Because Mary is a Charlottesville native, many residents who are new to the area have come to depend on her navigational skills, answers to questions or just a caring ear to listen. She said she finds herself driving her newly-found friends around the Charlottesville area, which she knows quite well.

“It’s been a really great marriage, if you will, because I enjoy being out in Charlottesville and I can drive,” she said. “It’s always nice to be helpful to others and it gives me the chance to take friends along, which is always fun.”

These days she spends her time involved in the many offerings at WCBR, as well as golfing 2-3 times a week, spending time with her dog Buster, and even manages to fit in a card game she hasn’t played since her days at the University of Virginia.

“I’ve taken up bridge and I hadn’t played since college,” she said with a laugh. “Now I’m playing a lot of bridge.”

Mary is one of the younger residents of Westminster Canterbury, and she said she enjoys the diverse age range. While difference in age is something that may have mattered in high school, now the years between her and her friends don’t matter as much, she said.

As a teenager or a child, it does make a difference,” she said. “But I really am very lucky because I now have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of ages.”

When asked what advice she would give to those considering a move, she advised seniors to monitor their health vigilantly as to not miss out on the activities their community may have to offer.

“So many people wait too long to move, and then can’t take advantage of the opportunities,” said Mary. “If you don’t have energy and health, you can’t appreciate all that is around you.”

Though Mary’s lifestyle in Virginia is a little different from the one she left behind in Illinois, she has no regrets about relocating back to her old stomping grounds. With one brother living near her in Charlottesville and another close by in Richmond, the decision was almost made for her.

“It makes sense for me to come back here because I had no family in Illinois,” she said. “I had known about Westminster-Canterbury and knew a lot of people here before I moved back, primarily friends of my parents and family. Personal connections were easy.”

And looking back, Mary knows her decision to come full circle was the right one.

“I could have made the decision to stay in Illinois, but I’m so glad I didn’t,” she said. “I’m having a great time. It’s another stage of life.”

Like all good teachers, Sadie Poinsett-White is a student as well. As a caregiver for her husband Bob, she is always on the lookout for information on caregiving. During a visit to the National Rehab Hospital in Wheaton last summer, Ms. Poinsett-White found a brochure on the Telephone Reassurance for Caregivers program. She decided to give the free service a try.

In August 2005, Ms. Poinsett-White was matched with a trained program volunteer, KT Cane. The two have talked weekly since then. Through the weekly conversations, KT offers companionship, support, and basic information related to caregiving.

Sadie’s husband, Bob White, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1992. In 1998, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Ms. Poinsett-White retired from a 24-year career as a Head Start-Kindergarten teacher with the Montgomery County Public Schools. She misses the honest and loving nature of the young children she taught, as well as the relationships she developed with her students’ parents and her colleagues.

Ms. Poinsett-White also took a leave from her involvement as a community activist. An advocate for children’s right to a quality education, she worked with the African American Festival of Academic Excellence to provide scholarships for African American students. Ms. Poinsett-White and her husband also worked in local schools to mentor second grade students. The Montgomery County Council recognized her leadership as a community activist by appointing her to serve on the County Executive’s East County Citizens Advisory Board in 1999.

In order to stay healthy and maintain a balanced perspective on her caregiving experience, Ms. Poinsett-White plays volleyball regularly. She is a member of the women’s volleyball team that represents Maryland in the Senior Olympics; she plays up and down the East Coast and in national tournaments.

Keeping a positive outlook helps Ms. Poinsett-White cope with the challenges of caregiving. She also looks forward to her weekly phone conversations with Ms. Cane. When the two first began talking in August 2005, Ms. Poinsett-White was looking for tips on taking care of her husband and helping him deal with the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease. Over time, Ms. Poinsett-White and Ms. Cane have become close and now share other aspects of their lives.

The Poinsett-Whites celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 11, 2005. The couple has two children and one grandson. The Poinsett-White’s children are supportive, but they have full lives of their own.

Caregivers often discover that it is difficult for family members to be objective and to provide the level of support needed. After all, family members are experiencing their own challenges related to the illness or disability of a close relative. Developing a support network of people beyond the immediate family is vital to the wellbeing of the caregiver.

“Telephone Reassurance for Cargivers is a service that fills a void,” says Ms. Poinsett-White. She continues, “It provides a human connection for people who might feel isolated and alone.” Telephone Reassurance serves as a source of basic information on caregiving and provides referrals to other resources. The program helps caregivers like Ms. Poinsett-White care for their loved ones, while remaining active and healthy.

For more information about The Telephone Reassurance for Caregivers Program, call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.

During her childhood in Salt Lake City, Beverly was awed by stories of relatives who migrated across the country to become the founding members of the city. She recounts tales of her great-grandparents’ treacherous journeys across the prairies to reach the then-emerging town.

Her childhood was filled with song and dance. Beverly began to cultivate her talent at a young age in large part because of her musical parents. “My father sang, and my mother played the piano and organ. That’s how they met,” she says.

Beverly’s own love story started in an unlikely place: a biology lab at the University of Utah. She laughs as she recalls, “I was taking a lab, and he was the graduate student teaching the class. He was really not a great teacher. At first, I thought he was just a nerd.” Her “nerd,” Charles, may not have been particularly adept in the classroom, but he had a phenomenal understanding of science, and despite a rocky start, formed an easy connection with Beverly. The two were married in 1943.

After their marriage, Charles went back to school and received a Ph. D. in Parasotology from Stanford. Parasotology is the study of parasitic life forms and how they affect humans. It was Charles’ work as a scientist that took the couple all over the country. After a three year teaching career at San Jose State, Charles joined the Public Health Service. This job led to placements in Nebraska, Arizona, Georgia, and Puerto Rico.

Charles and Beverly had two sons and a daughter, and Beverly devoted her time to raising their children in a variety of locales. She recalls good times with her family throughout the country-from the perfect weather of Phoenix to the gastronomic pleasures of Puerto Rico.

When Charles was offered a position with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the family made the move to the D.C. metro area. Shortly thereafter, Beverly received her certification to teach elementary school. She taught first grade at Farmland Elementary School in Rockville for 13 years. Her students provided much inspiration. “I still think of this child who had really struggled. One day, I handed him a new book, and his face just lit up. He said, ‘I can read.’ That was like a million dollars!,” Beverly recalls.

Although her time in the classroom was rewarding, Beverly found the transition to life on the east coast to be difficult at first. She says, “There seems to be a lot more concern for money and status symbols here, which I didn’t experience growing up in the west. You just have to ignore those artificial standards.” Always the relaxed westerner, Beverly created a casual atmosphere in their Bethesda home.

When Charles developed dementia, Beverly cared for him in their home until he moved to a community that specialized in dementia care. It was at this time that Beverly began to consider a move herself. Her search for a retirement community was expedited by an unexpected fall.

She explains, “I was working out and slimming down for one of my granddaughter’s weddings, and I slipped and fell and broke my shoulder.” In the ensuing weeks, she was dependent on her daughter for care and transportation. She knew then that she wanted to move to a retirement community to maintain her independence.

Beverly started her search at Kensington Park Retirement Community. Her daughter lives in Kensington, MD, so she was already familiar with the charming community. “We just came over to look at Kensington Park one afternoon. The outside of the building was so architecturally attractive that we were impressed right away. And then we walked in. It was lovely! The staff was so caring and made us feel welcome from the start,” Beverly relates. She made the decision to move to Kensington Park almost immediately.

Kensington Park Retirement Community is made up of three distinctive residences, which together provide a supportive lifestyle specially catered to residents’ individual needs. The Highlands is an independent living residence and is comprised of 61 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Assisted living is provided at The Woodlands and The Groves. The two buildings house 140 companion suites, one-room suites, and two-room suites. Residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia receive specialized care in the 26 suites located in The Groves.

When an independent living apartment became available while she was selling her house, Beverly jumped at the chance to move right away. She quickly realized that the relaxed atmosphere she had been looking for had been right down the street all along. “I like Kensington so much! It is such a great community, and it really was refreshing to move here from Bethesda, which has really grown and changed. The houses just keep getting bigger and bigger; it’s just about display,” says Beverly.

At Kensington Park, she enjoys a pleasurable lifestyle. She says, “Dinner is served in the dining room every night, complete with tablecloths and napkins.” The well-appointed community is filled with easy-going and like-minded residents. “Everyone here is so nice. We are all so open, and everyone participates,” Beverly notes.

In her east coast residence, Beverly has found a sense of security. She spends her mornings walking on the nearby track and participates in exercise classes at the community. Trips organized by the community’s Activity Director are also a favorite pastime. Playing the piano in her apartment and volunteering at the nearby Audubon Naturalist Society fill out her day.

The absence of daily chores keeps Beverly’s schedule open. “It’s amazing,” she says. “Think about it! Living at Kensington Park means that I don’t have to worry about shopping unless I want to. I don’t have to prepare dinner unless I want to. I really don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. ”

Beverly’s experiences throughout life ultimately influenced her retirement living decision. Her life at Kensington Park includes an array of culture opportunities, the security of available care, and the company of good people.

Far from her west coast home town, Beverly found a retirement destination that melds the best of both coasts; her discovery has led to a well-balanced retirement.

Rita, a successful real estate broker, loved being out in the field selling, but she always made time for her volunteer work advocating for the disabled. Rita has also been a member of the Women’s Federation, which helps to fund projects ranging from Canine Companions to Operation Smile, for 28 years.

A retired Navy Pilot, Jerry remembers his time in the air as “peaceful-an escape from all the distractions.” Jerry is the current President of the Golden Eagles, an association of naval aviators. One of his most recent projects was putting together a book of biographies for his fellow Golden Eagles for the 30th anniversary of the association. The massive undertaking included over 500 biographies of active, emeritus, and deceased Golden Eagles.

Jerry and Rita have always been active in the Methodist Church as well. Rita says, “I don’t think there is a position with the church that one or the other of us hasn’t held over the years.”

Several years ago, the Zachariases were attending Rita’s 50th high school reunion at Linden Hall School for Girls near Lancaster, PA. Jerry recalls, “It was during the spring of the year, and the countryside was just so beautiful. We thought we could really retire here.”

When the couple’s search for a retirement community became a reality, they visited several other communities but eventually found themselves back in Lancaster. Their first visit to Willow Valley Retirement Communities was the deciding factor. “None of the other communities held a candle to Willow Valley,” says Jerry. Rita adds, “This community really stood out in so many ways. The facilities in general are superb. The food is outstanding, and there are so many long-standing staff members.”

The Zachariases also appreciate the comfort of knowing that life care is readily available should it become necessary. Their first-hand experience with the quality care delivered on campus confirmed the wisdom of their decision to move early. Rita recalls, “My mother moved here at the age of 94 and was cared for in the assisted living community on the Willow Valley campus until she passed away. She really did receive superior care.”

Today, Jerry and Rita are enjoying all that their new lifestyle offers. They note that there is never a lack of activities at Willow Valley Retirement Communities. Jerry uses the exercise facilities regularly, and Rita plays bridge with a group of residents. Both Jerry and Rita are members of the Willow Valley camera club.

Dottie moved back to the North East several years ago and has found many social and emotional connections here. Many of these connections are related to knitting, all because she picked up her knitting needles sixty years ago and decided to let her girlfriend teach her how to knit and purl. Later, she formed a connection with a live in border and her husband’s neighbor through knitting.

Dottie beams as she tells the story of vacationing in Maine with her long-time girlfriend, Kay. “We stayed up late into the night knitting. We had a ball,” she says. She confirms what most knitters know: “You meet people through knitting.”

Recalling the days when she knitted while warming her feet in a coal oven, she thinks about the differences between knitting then and knitting now. “We knitted out of necessity then, we needed to wear those mittens or socks that we made. We couldn’t afford to just go out and by a sweater,” she states. Nowadays, Dottie notes that there is more attention to style, design, and all the beautiful yarns.

“I’m just a plain knitter,” Dottie humbly states. “My advice for those young knitters just starting out is to simply keep knitting!” Dottie knows firsthand what a wonderful experience can be attached to a ball of yarn.

Dottie and I have become great friends over the past three years. I am very grateful to have met her, and thank my knitting needles for casting me her way. The women that I have met and continue to meet along my knit one, purl two journey have been inspirational to me in so many ways. They are the moving force in the creation of a newly formed organization called Wool Power. The mission of Wool Power is to bring knitters together to celebrate the art of knitting, through social and educational interactions.

Please contact Sheri Von Urff at 610-431-7335.