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.

“The house is SOLD!”

That was welcome news for Ed and Robin LaDrew.The future Tel Hai residents were eagerly packing. Their interest in the community’s newest neighborhood, Cedar Ridge, had grown as they reviewed mailings on the exciting new floor plans being offered. “We noticed they were selling fast and didn’t want to miss out,” Ed reported. The opportunity to move into a brand new home with a southern orientation and walk-out basement was terrifically attractive. Reviewing the cottage plans, they decided instantly this was the place for them.

Ed grew up in New Jersey but called Wayne, Pa. home for nearly two decades. He was aware of Tel Hai’s wonderful reputation over the years. A photographer with a commercial lab in Downingtown, his store manager also helped him feel “connected.” She volunteered at Tel Hai and shared her experiences on the campus and delightful interaction with residents.

Robin, an “Army brat,” moved a lot growing up.She met Ed when taking dancing lessons at the local YMCA. Although Ed had retired, Robin was still working as an on-call nurse when their decision to become part of the Tel Hai community was made.

Watching their aging parents attempt to maintain their own homes was a real eye-opener for the couple. “We knew we didn’t want that life for us,” said Ed.Too tired and sick to move, Robin’s 90-year-old parents resided in Virginia with live-in nursing care, further convincing the LaDrews to not wait until they felt “ready”””it might be too late!

Now, Robin is “having fun trying new things and meeting new people.” Ed said he enjoys “being part of a community of folks who share common interests.” They are exploring the region they now call home–savoring local produce in season, exploring the countryside and enjoying their worry-free life at Tel Hai.

Life on campus described as “fabulous…”

When you ask Karen Runyon for her impressions of life at the community, you get an enthusiastic response. “You couldn’t ask for better neighbors,” she said. This former nurse, widowed three years ago, moved into her cottage in September 2010. She found community life appealing in concept and looked in neighboring counties before finding Tel Hai.

She proudly shared with friends an online slide show she created featuring her new home and celebrating the beauty of her surroundings and her customized home. Everything is “so nice here””the people are lovely.” Karen’s neighbors enjoy having friendly chats as they meet on Evergreen Drive or plan get-togethers.

Becoming familiar with life at the community has offered many options””from donatingfurnishings to the Flea Market benefitting the Care Assurance Fund to attending a ukulele concert. Karen now enjoys a closer geographic relationship with her only sister and brother-in-law, too.When considering Tel Hai for her future home she learned that family members had preceded her in choosing cottage life here. Others had benefited from a health care-related experience on campus.Karen’s own rehab experience at The Meadows at Tel Hai after knee surgery generated kudos: “I’ve never seen a staff like we have here! We have a real gem in the health care center.” And staying active is easy””there is so much to choose from each day. Karen enjoys working on her computer, scrap booking, reading, knitting and traveling. “I know I can fill my days with interesting activities and new friends.”

Karen’s found a convenient location and a reasonably priced lifestyle. She said, “After living in NYC, Philadelphia and Charleston I’ve had a wealth of ‘neighborhood’ experiences. Now that I’m here at Tel Hai I’m surrounded by wonderful friendly folks””it’s fabulous!”

Mrs. H lives in a beautiful contemporary home in suburban Maryland that she and her husband had chosen for its design and location to friends and family. It was also the ideal home for accommodating their desire to eventually age in place.

The two met at a hospital outside of London in WWII when she was an Army nurse and he was a doctor caring for wounded pilots. “We fell in love, and when we returned to the states, we got married,” she says.

The couple had three children and proceeded to travel a great deal on overseas assignments. When her husband passed away, there was no question in her mind that she would remain at home. Unfortunately, she fell and broke her hip, but was determined to return home despite needing an extended hospital stay and rehabilitation.

While her family backed her decision, they knew she would need additional help. They then identified the homecare agency CarePlus Home Health, who connected them with caregiver Meri Tegegne.

Meri started working with Mrs. H after she received some rehabilitation at home and was able to help Mrs. H continue her exercises to properly recover. Mrs. H has since gone from using a walker to now just using a cane for balance.

When asked about her last year being Mrs. H’s caregiver, Meri says, “I feel blessed. I lost my mother about 10 years ago, so I treat Mrs. H like my mom.”

Mrs. H is equally enamored with Meri, “She is a wonderful person, very kind and loving. I can’t say enough things. It’s been a great help to me.”

While Meri provides assistance with bathing, meals, laundry, light housekeeping and companionship, the two enjoy spending their time walking around the neighborhood and visiting on Mrs. H’s deck overlooking a beautiful wooded backyard.

Not only does Mrs. H’s family feel her needs are being met, but they feel they have the “perfect system,” and Meri is a valuable team member. “On weekends we spend time as a family, and we feel very comfortable knowing that on Monday Meri will be with mom,” says Mrs. H’s daughter-in-law. “She is reliable and we know we can count on her and we trust her. Mom will say on Sundays, “I miss Meri- I can’t wait for Meri to come tomorrow.”

Perhaps Jan said it best as he stated with a smile, “I don’t live here…I’m on vacation here.”

That means a great deal coming from this world-rounded individual who was born in Indonesia and speaks Dutch, German and Malaysian. After serving in the Army, Jan eventually became a bank president and active stock investor.

With three children, Jan was married for 50 years before his wife’s passing. When he suffered a stroke, it was his son Elmer who helped move him from Florida to the nearby community.

Elmer’s wife, Mary Jo, said, “I set out on this mission to go to five assisted living facilities having never been to one. I stopped in Sunrise at Fox Hill first and immediately thought ‘I found it!’”

Although they did not look anywhere else, Mary Jo and Elmer are reminded of why it was the perfect decision as they have watched Jan thrive. The community’s focus on “life enrichment” consists of great programs, social connections and a well-trained staff that learns about each resident and what is best for him/her. This support has proven to have a positive effect on residents and is certainly evident in Jan’s situation.

“The people are the big difference with the level of attention and care they give,” said Elmer. “They actually thought they couldn’t have him here, but with the care he received, they got him back within weeks from a wheelchair to walking.”

Norman and Shirley Levin’s daughter, Faye, would have to agree saying her parents look the best they have in the past few years. Both Connecticut natives, the Levins moved to Brooklyn after Norman received his PhD and was offered a position at The City University of New York.

They eventually retired to Florida, but at their granddaughter’s graduation, Norman became ill and was hospitalized with his condition only worsening in a local nursing home.

“We knew then that I was no longer able to take care of him and that we had to make some choices for the future,” said Shirley.

In stepped Faye, who lived only two miles from Sunrise at Fox Hill. As a lawyer, she knew what details she needed to hear regarding the care of her father, so she proceeded to speak with staff, residents and families.

“This place is beautiful, but you don’t want to be taken in by that because it’s really only as good as the people who take care of you,” said Faye. “I sat here many days and watched the aides with the residents, and they were patient and sweet and answered my questions.”

As the community accommodated a quick move for Norman, Faye successfully moved her dad into Sunrise at Fox Hill and her mom into a nearby apartment over an eight-week period with the help of Transitional Assistance & Design, and it has all been uphill from there.

With the community’s comfortable atmosphere, Faye and her family are able to constantly visit as are Elmer and Mary Jo whose children will often come by with friends or to study. Though the roads that led Norman and Jan to Sunrise at Fox Hill are unique, their families can say with the excellent care and amenities of the community that it is exactly the right home for each of these men.

The two married after Larry had enlisted in the Army and Glea began her teaching career. When Larry had signed to stay in the Army for three more years, the couple lived in Japan where their oldest son was born.

After returning to the U.S., Glea taught Kindergarten for two years and preschool for 18 while Larry’s career focused on economics and banking. A bank officer and director, he was also a Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at Indiana University and served for 17 years as President and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors in Washington, D.C.

With the couple’s 65 years of marriage came three more sons, five grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren.

As a founding Board Member, Larry helped with the initial planning and marketing of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a CCRC which opened in January of 1993. Eventually, the couple, attracted to the community’s financial position and professional care, decided to move in from their home in Arlington, Va.

“We thought it was a great place to retire to,” said Glea. “We’ve met so many friends and one of the nicest things about being here is you’re never at a loss of things to do.”

Since their move, Glea has helped start the community’s drama group and participates in Capital Hospice training while playing the chimes in her free time. Larry continues to engage in the community’s financial matters. He is in his 10th year as a member of the Westminster Ingleside Investment Committee. Also serving on the Westminster Ingleside Foundation Board, Larry raises money to enable his home and two related communities to provide support for residents who need financial assistance as well as other special programs.

They enjoy their spacious cottage house and the freedom they have to continue their tradition of spending summers in Vermont without the worries of making sure their home is being taken care of.

“The staff is wonderful,” said Glea. “Every time we come back, the same people are here and that makes us feel great.”

With a helpful staff, a sense of security and numerous opportunities to stay active, the Kreiders certainly have more great memories to look forward to.

Though they share similar interests, it is no wonder Josephine and Ray have become great friends as caring individuals who have served others during their lives.

A registered nurse, Josephine utilized her certification in different areas. From working in the emergency room to industrial nursing, she truly enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives, and it is something she has carried with her to this day.

“Up until about two years ago, she continued to have annual reunions with her nursing school class,” said Ann Newman, Josephine’s daughter.

It was when her macular degeneration worsened that prompted her to seek a community with the help of her daughter.

“The day she called, I had gotten an ad in the mail for Arbour Square and I was impressed with the no down payment, month-to-month rental,” said Ann. “I then visited and was so impressed with the building and the wonderful people.”

For Ann, the amenities and services her mother would receive were a great deal compared to other communities that had large entrance fees. Site unseen, Josephine settled into her stylish apartment with a view in 2007 and could not be happier.

Along with group exercise programs at the community’s fitness center, she remains active attending music programs, and of course, playing pinochle every week with her best friend.

Originally from western Pennsylvania, Ray joined the Army and served in the Corps for over three years. When he returned from overseas, he worked 42 years for U.S. Steel and Fairless Steel Works.

After his wife of 60 years passed, one of their three sons suggested he downsize and make the transition to a community that could offer everything he needed.

“My son lived around here at the time and saw Arbour Square,” said Ray. “He told me about it, so we visited and that is when I decided to come here.”

Since his move two years ago, he has enjoyed a maintenance-free lifestyle with his fellow residents as several services including housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation are all provided at the community. This has allowed Ray more time for the numerous available activities as he takes bus trips to casinos and race tracks while showing off his Wii bowling skills.

“I had surgery, so I’m hoping to eventually get back into swimming and playing Golf too,” he said.

From the frequented indoor Main Street to energetic ‘Brain Teaser’ games there are plenty of opportunities for people to stay active. The numerous amenities and services, however, will only expand as staff and residents eagerly anticipate the opening of The Birches, Arbour Square’s Assisted Living Community. This will feature 44 assisted living apartments with an additional 25 in a secure memory care unit.

For Ann, this will be just one more perk for her mother and their new friend.

“This is truly a lovely place,” she said. “The décor is great, there are lots of activities for them, and the people here could not be any more helpful.”

The Washington, D.C. native served in the Army for four years, two of which he was an active member and the other two he spent in the Reserve. Eventually, Louis completed a food service course in Fort Jackson, SC and went on to work for a prominent catering company.

When he suffered a stroke due to alcoholism, he was admitted to George Washington University Hospital. For Louis, accomplishing everyday needs such as bathing, dressing or eating on his own had become difficult.

“I was completely dependent on my daily activities,” he said.

After about a month, the hospital recommended a nursing home placement in which Louis would have 24-hour assistance.

He and his father were then contacted by a liaison from Bay Ridge Health Care Center, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Annapolis. The two were told everything they needed to know and in January of 2007, Louis made the transition to his temporary home.

According to Louis, the entire staff was highly involved in his care and assisting him with everything necessary.

“I could not move by myself, so they had to turn and reposition me at times to avoid any sores,” he said.

After a few weeks, he was able to start moving his toes and ankles and continued a steady progression until he became completely independent.

“That was when I felt ready to come back to the community and this facility even helped me in that process,” said Louis.

In an effort to help Louis assimilate to life outside of the center, the business office applied for Social Security disability benefits as well as Medical Assistance. In effort to help Mr. Armstrong find a stable home they contacted the coordinating center to find housing for him.

Though he ended his residency in October of 2008, Louis moved into a suburb of Annapolis and now works at the center’s Dietary Department.

“I do believe there is a God and I believe God put me here to save my life,” said Louis. “I feel blessed and appreciate working here since Bay Ridge will always be my family.”

He also participates with an AA group that meets every Wednesday at his former home and works with the National Hospitals and Institutions organization bringing messages of hope to hospitals, jails and other institutions in the area.

Though he remains highly involved with the center, there is no way Louis could forget those who helped him flourish again.

“I highly recommend them to anybody who needs help,” he said.

At the tender age of 16, Joe began working for his father’s general contracting company and contributed to many construction projects. He even used his talents to construct a new home for his family.

After being drafted into the Army, Joe became a paramedic for the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. For over two years, he provided excellent care to veterans. He left the Army as a Corporal.

His return to civilian life included a return to carpentry, but he sought more out of life. Joe gave of his spare time and became a volunteer fireman for the Congress Volunteer Fire Department, located just outside New York City. For over 50 years, he served as a dedicated volunteer for the department.

Joe’s retirement home in Saratoga Springs, FL was the last one he built. In order to get involved in his new community, he joined the Elks Club and played on a local softball team. The remainder of his spare time was spent in the garden. Joe grew banana, grapefruit, and orange trees, as well as peas, cucumbers, and watermelon.

After years in the sunshine state, he began to consider a move to Virginia in order to be closer to his son. They selected Tall Oaks at Reston Assisted Living, and Joe made the move in 2004. However, once his move was complete, Joe quickly grew restless. He assisted the maintenance staff by planting flowers and sewing grass, but these small tasks were not enough. A nice, new garden proved to be the elixir for his boredom.

Once spring arrived, Joe was given quite a surprise. Tall Oaks had set aside a plot of land and all of the supplies he would need to make his dream garden a reality.

Joe immediately began to cultivate the land and prepare it for a variety of fruits and vegetables. Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, cucumbers, peas, peppers, sweet corn, and watermelon now grow in his garden. He typically spends four hours a day carefully tending his crops. Each day, he meticulously waters his plants, sprays each one with essential minerals, and pulls every weed.

Throughout the next few months, Joe will share the fruits of his labor with the residents of Tall Oaks. He plans to donate the vegetables from his garden to the kitchen staff, so that his fellow residents can enjoy his fresh produce. Meanwhile, Joe is already looking forward to next season when he hopes to plant strawberries, and perhaps even a banana tree. For the moment, he will bask in the summer sunshine and work on making his garden grow.

However, it didn’t last long. Mrs. Davis’s background in theater, ballet, and modeling gained her an opportunity in public relations as an interviewer on “The Fighting Coast Guard” weekly radio program. It was then that she learned of a musical recruitment show the Coast Guard was producing. Mrs. Davis auditioned and became a part of the 70-member cast that toured 50 cities in 11 months during 1944-1945. One of her fellow performers on the train trip to rehearsals in Palm Beach, FL was none other than the comedic legend, Sid Caesar. “We had a ball on that trip,” recalls Mrs. Davis with laughter.

The “Tars and Spars” show, named after the terms used for male and female Coast Guard members, featured other notable entertainers. Hollywood star Victor Mature and Broadway dancers Gower Champion and Bill Skipper were also part of the troupe. The Coast Guard sold the rights to the show to Columbia Pictures and Mrs. Davis and company spent several months in Hollywood filming. She recollects many star-studded parties attended by Hollywood’s elite.

As one of Mrs. Davis’s Coast Guard assignments, she and the cast toured Pennsylvania by bus selling Victory Bonds. While definitely a less glamorous stint, the group sold millions of dollars of bonds throughout the small towns of PA.

Following her years in the Coast Guard, Mrs. Davis continued to lead a varied and interesting life, spending time in New York, California, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and Europe. She and her husband returned to his hometown of Charlottesville, VA in 1957 and she has been there ever since.

Charlottesville holds great appeal for Mrs. Davis. She cites the small southern city’s history-it is home to three former U.S. Presidents, including Thomas Jefferson and his masterpiece Monticello-and the warmth of its people as a few of its positive attributes. “There is a small town charm to Charlottesville,” Mrs. Davis believes. “People here seem to be genuinely interested in others.” At the same time, she notes that Charlottesville is a major university town, making it very cosmopolitan in many respects.

Mrs. Davis now makes her home at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, an accredited continuing care retirement community located in Charlottesville. After years of entertaining and traveling, she finds it an ideal place to take a break. That is not to say that she is idle for very long. Mrs. Davis remains active with the local Garden Club, SPCA, and various art organizations. At Westminster-Canterbury, she serves on the Decorating and Food committees and maintains her dancer’s figure through workouts in the fitness center.

The security derived from Westminster-Canterbury’s continuing life care is a real asset to Mrs. Davis: “When you drive in the entrance here you get a very nice secure feeling,” says Mrs. Davis. “It’s absolutely the right choice for me.” Mrs. Davis also maintains that the gracious atmosphere, engaging lectures, and top-notch musical performance set it apart from other communities. In her estimation, the people living at Westminster-Canterbury help make it the unique place that it is. “I’m interested in people,” Mrs. Davis states. “And there are very interesting people here.” From someone who has led such fascinating life, that is no small compliment.