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January 17, 2017 lifestyle-storiesALCdev
"Having fun Helping others at Stonecroft, New Hamburg"
During the snowy months, Jim Finlayson works out a few times a week at the gym, participates in some Texas hold 'em card games with friends and generally keeps active, but it's the greening of the golf courses that gets his attention come spring. In addition to hitting the links himself, he's also a marshal at the Dundee Country Club.
"It's tough to wait," he comments with humour, but says there's plenty to do at Stonecroft – the adult lifestyle community where he lives with his wife Marolyn. "I'm one of those people that when I finally retired, I didn't have to have a daily regime. But I keep busy." In fact, it was the area's vibrancy that attracted him in the first place. Not interested in a sleepy retirement environment, he liked that many of his neighbours are still working, and that Stonecroft is an integral component of New Hamburg. "It's an active place," Jim says of the bungalow condo community. "There are just no kids – that's the only difference."
As of last year, when he took on chairing the silent auction committee of the annual charity golf tournament, his schedule got a bit busier. But despite being instrumental in raising $9,000 for the Wilmot Resource Centre, an amount doubled from the year before, he's quick to deflect accolades.
"I put together a tremendous committee," he said of the five people who worked together to gather about 100 items for the annual September event. "That's the secret of anything working: get good people to do it."
Prior to retirement, Jim worked in the glass business and sat on a couple of provincial committees – one overseeing glaziers going through the apprenticeship program; and another helping to negotiate labour relations between the province and the trade association. Although his workplace experience wasn't social in nature, it was useful in coordinating his golf-tournament team, which receives strong support from area businesses and vendors.
In 2011, Jim hopes to bump up donations further. "I like the end result," he says of his efforts.
"I enjoy being able to turn something back to the community."
More information about Stonecroft Homes
More Great Stories
Garth Trails 2 (Ancaster)
Maple Meadows (Meaford)
Maple Meadows 2 (Meaford)
Sally Creek (Woodstock)
"Living Life to the Fullest Villages of at Sally Creek in Woodstock"
After a busy 25 years building a business from scratch and raising three boys, Oakville resident Alan Cameron dreamed of the serenity and social opportunities of living on a golf course – even though he doesn't actually hit the links himself. "I'm the one who didn't golf – and now I do," laughs his wife Carol, who worked beside Alan in the Mississauga insurance brokerage they sold five years ago. These days they're more likely to be found playing cards with friends, or collaborating on the landscaping their new home in The Villages of Sally Creek, an adult lifestyle community set in the rolling hills of Woodstock.
While Alan, who is recovering from some health challenges, likes to takes time off his busy rehab schedule to relax and watch the golfing action from his back yard; Carol prefers to walk into town or along the many nearby trails. A Shoppers Drug Mart is just down the road, with downtown and the library offering longer ("but lovely") strolls.
"When my grandkids come to visit, I take them for a walk to Burgess Park," she says. "We can walk up the Thames River for an hour and back. It's incredible." Carol and friends also take advantage of the many regional theatres – from the famed Stratford stages, to the variety of footlights found in Woodstock, Waterloo, Ingersol and Drayton. "There's a lot of great and really accessible theatre around here," she explains. "You couldn't go to all the theatre – you'd be going all the time."
Meanwhile, Alan prefers taking in a ball game – baseball or football, depending on the season. They come together in their love of entertaining, and are currently working to establish a dinner club among their friends and neighbours. Once Alan regains some strength and mobility, the couple plans to live out some other retirement plans – traveling the world. Soon after selling their business, they had the opportunity to visit Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. But they have lots left to explore.
More information about The Villages of Sally Creek
"Making the right move to Pine Meadows"
It was the fresh air that first lured Roy and Ruth Sproul from the western Toronto home they'd lived in for 35 years. It was the open spaces and craftsmanship that had them transitioning to the adult lifestyle community of Pine Meadows 18 years ago.
"We wanted to move at least 50 miles from Rexdale to get away from the pollution," said Roy, whose house was surrounded by major highways and below the flight path of Pearson International Airport. "It didn't bother us when we first moved there, but over time there was more and more traffic." So, after their daughters were grown and they'd retired from work, the search was on for a new place to call home.
Roy, who now likes to spend time in the woodworking shop at Pine Meadows (he recently helped build a stage for the community's recreation centre), kept an eye on the construction quality of the houses they toured. "These houses are factory built," he says of his current home, which is a bungalow with a full basement. "So a right-angle cut is 90 degrees, not 91 or 92, and everything hangs straight."
He also appreciated the environmentally friendly ground-source heat pumps that heat and cool the homes without relying on fossil fuels. On those early travels, Roy remembers looking out a friend's kitchen window in another community, straight into the kitchen next door. "I could tell the lady was having corn flakes for breakfast," he recalls. "Neighbourly is nice, but not that close."
Today, Pine Meadows is a fully established community of 195 homes generously spaced across 65 acres of parkland. It's close to the small towns of Elora and Fergus, and nestled beside Lake Belwood. Ruth enjoys her church work and creating crafts to help local charities. Roy prefers going long walks through the nearby streets and trails. Both enjoy the occasional card game with friends at the recreation centre.
"We made the right move," Roy says with satisfaction. "Now if there are two or three cars lined up at a light in Fergus, that's a traffic jam!"
More information about Pine Meadows
"A sense of Community and the Wonderful People"
Flo-Jean and Les Ferrey, 70 and 71, married 46 years have lived at Park Place for seven years. Flo-Jen and Les live at Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities (Parkbridge – www.parkbridge.com) Park Place Retirement Lifestyle Community. We had the opportunity to speak to this energetic couple to find out what makes them happy, and why they love living at Park Place.
Q: What are some of the social activities and events you take part in at Park Place?
A: Flo-Jean and I are both active members of the Park Place Residents Association. For a nominal annual fee of $25 each we're able to participate in various events and activities at Park Place.
Park Place has a wealth of activities and events that are entirely run by Park Place volunteers, in order to raise money for the events Park Place home owners participate in a 50/50 draw.
Some of our favourite events and activities include: The New Years Dinner & Dance, Canada Day Celebration complete with parade, BBQ & band, Flo-Jean takes Art Classes. There is a wealth of activities offered so we never get bored! Bocce Ball, Darts, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard, Aqua Aerobics and much more!
We're looking forward to the upcoming Elvis Tribute Concert which is coming up soon.
Q: How do you stay informed about what is going on at Park Place?
A: Park Place Volunteers create and distribute a monthly Park Place Newsletter called The Silhouette. I volunteer to help deliver the monthly paper to homeowners. It's a great publication that keeps us posted on what is going on at Park Place and what our fellow neighbours are up to! It is also entirely put together by Park Place volunteers.
Q: How did you find out about Park Place?
A: Back in 1997 we were initially looking at a Retirement Community down the street from Park Place. At that time we liked the area, but didn't know that Park Place existed. We were driving around the area and just happened to find Park Place. We loved the look of the community and the homes, and we ended up talking to the Manager on site and we were happy to find out how affordable Park Place was.
Q: What are some of the amenities in the community that you enjoy?
A: We've got a saltwater pool, work-out room, pool table, a workshop, and the perimeter around the park is a great 3KM walk, there is also a great library on site that is volunteer run. Here Park Place residents can sit and read, or just go in and borrow some books for reading.
Q: Why do you enjoy living at Park Place and what makes you happy about your home?
A: The best thing about living at Park Place is the sense of community, and the people. At Park Place we truly are like one big happy family. We enjoy spending time together and neighbours are not just considered to be neighbours, they are like family.
I love getting together with my neighbours for an impromptu drink or get together, or hosting my friends for a jam session at our home. At Park Place, no one is judgmental, we are always inclusive and all about having fun!
Not only do we enjoy spending time together but we all look out for one another and support each other. Many of us have had struggles with illness and death and we are always there for one another to support each other when we need it.
It is so nice to see the pride in home-ownership and the pride and involvement within the community. There are beautiful gardens Park Place is very well kept by homeowners, and without Park Place homeowners volunteering we wouldn't have such an active community and great social activities to participate in.
Essentially, what makes us so happy about Park Place is the wonderful people who make up the community and who we are proud to call our dearest life-long friends.
More information about Park Place
"Morningside: An Answer to a Prayer"
This is a reflection on the blessings that we enjoy as members of the Morningside community. Open our eyes to see, our hearts to appreciate and our spirits to feel the many good things that enrich us as individuals and as a community.
For the natural beauty that is Morningside, we give thanks. Morningside's trees, river, and the many gardens are a unique and daily inspiration.
For the vision, commitment, and wisdom of Morningside's leadership, we are appreciative. These investments are the solid foundation on which Morningside has been built and continues under their effective guidance.
We salute our skilled and dedicated staff, for their loyal and heartfelt service. Without their efficient attention to every organized detail, community life could not thrive.
For the neighbourly caring that happens at Morningside, we are grateful. Blessed be the tie that binds and builds meaningful relationships.
We celebrate the diversity that defines our village. Our personal stories are many and varied. So are our interests, skills, and convictions, yet in our community, differences have been melded into stories of mutual learning and respect.
We pay tribute these, among so many other Morningside traits, that help bring our residents together and enhance our lives. We welcome both visitors and newcomers to revel in the charm and warmth that is our beautiful, wonderful Morningside.
-Ray Schlegel, Morningsider
More information about Morningside
"The true Pleasure of having the Region's Natural Splendour at your doorstep year round"
The southern shores of Georgian Bay are a popular four-season playground for tourists and cottagers alike, but Meaford residents Herb and Pat McComb know the true pleasure of having the region's natural splendour at their doorstep year round.
Looking to downsize from their Chatsworth home, the couple scouted their options before settling on the nearby adult lifestyle community of Maple Meadow Homes, which affords private access to the Georgian Trail, and a short walk to Meaford's downtown core and several beaches.
With all the conveniences close by, plus a hospital and new medical centre on the way, the location halfway between Collingwood and Owen Sound makes it handy to access larger centres as well.
"The one mistake Pat and I made was not downsizing sooner to enjoy life at Maple Meadow," says Herb, who found this 64-unit neighbourhood to be friendlier than the larger communities he and his wife visited before relocating in 2012. "Pat was ready before I was – I was dragging my feet. But having gone through it, when we talk to people who are hesitating, we tell them not to procrastinate!"
At their previous home, there was always grass to cut or snow to shovel. Despite a helpful son living close by, "he has a life to lead himself and you have to respect that," Herb acknowledges. "I wouldn't want to even think about returning to it." Now, he and Pat have better things to do with their time than yard work, which is all taken care of through their value-packed monthly maintenance fee.
"There's always something going on with friends or at the clubhouse. "We get involved! If, for any reason, you don't want to be, you're not compelled to – that's the nice thing about it.
"We have a front porch and rear patio with grassy lawns and a barbeque," he describes, noting the red flags that popped up when outdoor cooking was suggested at other communities they'd visited. "Here, they encourage barbequing.
"It's a great, open feeling," he confirms. "There are lots of windows in the main floor and it's very bright. Even just driving through, you don't feel the world is closing in on you. The houses are not compressed."
An outdoorsman who enjoys hunting with his son and regular walks with Pat, Herb appreciates the standard nine-foot ceilings and open-concept design inside his home, as well as the wide streets and park-like site plan that provides serene nature views from each home.
He attributes the family-friendly setting and personalized service received at Maple Meadow to its private family ownership. "Again, we're not dealing with a large corporation," he concludes. "They're local people and they're on site every day. Got a small problem? You can have a chat on the street or stop into the office. You never need an appointment. That gives us a real secure feeling here."
Despite the early reticence about moving, Herb and Pat can't say enough in support of their new home "I could go on and talk about this place all day – we love it here!" he smiles.
Maple Meadow Homes
More information about Maple Meadow Homes
"Neighbours made them feel the Celebration was all about them"
When Marion and Bev Genoe moved into the adult lifestyle community of Maple Meadow Homes, their arrival coincided with Canada Day and their new neighbours made them feel the celebration was all about them.
"They had a cake for us because we were new," Marion recalls fondly. "It's hard to explain, because it's just so overwhelming how welcome and accepted you are. They would invite us to the breakfasts and dinners before we even moved in!"
Prior to downsizing to the Meaford community, the Genoes lived in a big house on an acre of land in the nearby countryside. It was time for a change.
"I couldn't keep that place without my husband if anything happened, and he wouldn't want to be there without me," she explains. Intending to stay in the area, the couple looked at other local residential opportunities, including a condominium, but they decided against the elevator.
"Everything here is on one level and the garage is attached – you don't have to go outside," she says about Maple Meadow. "Everything is very well built and the owners are fantastic."
In the end, the decision was easy.
"We had one acre before, and now our back sunroom overlooks our backyard and the bush beyond. We're really close here to the Georgian Trail and we use it a lot."
Marion says she walks everywhere – to volunteer at the hospital on Wednesdays and to the Royal Canadian Legion where she just topped off a 10-year stint on the executive with a two-year term as chapter president; and over to the bowling alley in town where she plays on a five-pin league. A short stroll also takes her to the community recreation centre where she attends aquafit twice a week, plays cards and dominoes on Tuesdays and line dances on Thursday mornings.
"There's also shuffleboard on Friday afternoons, but I haven't made that yet," she laughs. She and Bev do enjoy the community dinners, breakfasts and the regular music nights that have rhythmic residents and friends jamming together while the audience taps a toe or cuts a rug. "I don't sit idle too much."
When she does get a chance to sit, she certainly isn't idle. Last year, her crocheted entries (from an afghan and slippers to scarves, hats and mitts) all took red ribbons at the Rockland Fall Fair.
Bev, a regular volunteer himself, helps out with the local Good Food Box program and with the necessary cleaning and testing of the salt-water community pool. He also schedules time to go to the nearby army base to share the exercise room with the soldiers, and to join in card games, bingo and the monthly trivia night.
During the summer, their attention turns to the road as they head off on camping trips in their RV (country-western musical jamborees are a popular destination), or to display their '65 copper Thunderbird amid other antique car aficionados at the two clubs they belong to.
"Bev has always been into cars," she considers, thinking back on the 43 years of married life and a couple of years she knew him before that.
But colder weather isn't a deterrent to this duo, who would rather go snowshoeing than head south.
"I enjoy the winter – I'm not leaving," she says with contentment. In fact, she doesn't want to go anywhere for long. "I'm here to stay. There's everything here that you really need."
"Garth Trails is a Young Community – in Spirit if not in years"
As one of the first residents of the adult lifestyle community Garth Trails in Ancaster, Marlenna Langford put her marketing background to work to ensure all residents felt welcome and connected. She started a telephone directory, calendar, website and a quarterly newsletter she delivers personally to each home.
"I can't sit still," she laughs. "Truth is, I love the work. There are now about 700 to 800 people in the community and I know almost everybody by name."
While local advertisers pay the cost of ink and paper, she has been providing her time at no cost for nearly 10 years.
"This community survives on volunteers – the social club, bocce ball league…right now, I'm doing all the staging, sets, props, costumes and all printing for the upcoming production of Trouble at the Tropicabana – an I Love Lucy spoof murder mystery. There are two nights and it's sold out. A volunteer resident is doing the directing and yet another, the dance choreography.
"This place has created its own groups. The band and choir, for example, are all volunteers. You can join in or be a watcher. You can do what you want, but you're still involved."
Marlenna's husband, a former commuter, keeps busy on-site now adding his own time and talent to the mix by playing clarinet in the band and sitting on the community's Board of Directors, Shared Facilities Committee, and the Help Committee – whose members come to the rescue when light bulbs need changing.
The house in Garth Trails is the couple's first true home. Married 40 years after they first met in college after a chance reunion, she emigrated from Scotland to be with him and temporarily moved into the house he'd had for ages.
"We meant to downsize, but this place turned out to be larger," Marlenna says. "Peter and I have kids all over the world, so we get visitors. That means we needed additional bedrooms. We bought a house with a loft and finished the basement."
The search for the right location, however, took some time.
"I was new to Canada and both of us were retiring, so we could have gone anywhere," she recalls. But the appeal of small town charm and the convenience of having Hamilton, an international airport and three hospitals nearby was not lost on them. "We have everything we want and need right here, including an absolutely fabulous supportive community. Also, I back onto the pond and I wouldn't move for anything!"
Garth Trails is a young community – in spirit if not in years, she adds. As such, there are many opportunities for social gatherings. There's Scottish Country Dancing to try – with a traditional Ceilidh annually, an Italian night, Oktoberfest, St. Patrick's Day and Halloween.
"All the nationalities get recognized," Marlenna smiles.
In addition to the social activities, the 14,000-square-foot clubhouse hosts aquafit in the pool, as well as yoga, cards, darts, fitness classes, needlework, tennis and many other options. Marlenna says she participated in many of them when she first moved in, but "as the community grew, so did my workload.
"Even if I don't go to all the functions, I'll be there taking pictures. We enjoy life and that's what it's all about!"
More information about Garth Trails
"There are Relationships and a Camaraderie All throughout the Community"
After 33 years managing a large property that included an acre of fruit trees, Paul and Barbara Blake decided it was time to downsize and started looking at their options away from the orchard. Making the move to Garth Trails became a wise decision.
"We were beginning to think the workload was more than we could cope with," Paul recalls. "The snow load, spraying trees, climbing ladders…and there were some health issues that were beginning to show up as well."
After they were left uninspired by new homes in a traditional subdivision, their realtor suggested an adult lifestyle community.
"I knew of them, but I'd never been to one before," he explains. "After looking at several in the area, we eventually showed up at Garth Trails, which was just being established at the time."
The couple was shown through the neighbourhood and taken on a tour of townhomes and singles, which caught their eye. Wanting a second look, they were given the keys to the model and told to take all the time they needed.
"I sat there most of the afternoon to decide if I could live there."
After the experiment concluded successfully, they began to look at lots. He discovered an ideal property at the end of a court that backed on a hydro corridor, had a good amount of space and a fence on one side and lots more space out front.
"Coming from a large property, I wanted the openness. We lucked out finding this."
They chose to build a bungalow with a loft. Because of the slope of their property, the basement is a walk-out and their main-floor deck is one-story above the ground. He would eventually take the lead in finishing the basement.
Six months later, in December 2007, they moved in and spent the winter settling in to their new home. Come spring, when their neighbouring snowbirds returned and the weather warmed up, they began to see what adult lifestyling was all about.
Barbara, a good cook, is a homebody who makes friends easily. At Garth Trails, there were plenty of neighbours who wanted to get to know them as well.
"I needed to get involved in physical activity and it had been recommended by a doctor to get near a pool, so both of us got involved in aquafit, " says Paul, who acknowledged the 14,000-square-foot clubhouse to be a big attraction and a key selling point. "There's also a bocce league with 44 teams and we both got involved in that as well."
Quite literally getting back to his roots, he was soon attracted to gardening projects. Paul took on the task of keeping the lots of many nearby neighbours free of weeds until the lawns were put in. He also managed the walking trail that bordered three sides of his property, convincing the condo board to replace the overgrown corridor on the other side of the trail with grass.
"I'm probably a bit of a nut," he laughs. "But I just couldn't stand the weeds. So, I keep it nice and tidy. It became one of my big projects for seven years."
Like his neighbours, Paul is committed to doing his share to keep the community beautiful , functional and affordable.
"There's a chance for everyone to make a contribution," Paul adds. "It's not dictated, but we are responsible for our own piece of property and the surrounding shared property and the clubhouse. If we want to keep our condo fees down, we share the work."
After a call for volunteers went out across the community shortly after the Blakes moved in, Paul was given the job of cleaning up the large flowerbed behind the clubhouse that was overgrown with bulrushes and other weeds. The project was right in Paul's wheelhouse, and he and another volunteer got to work, discovering a single rose bush that spoke to the original intention of the garden.
At Paul's suggestion, a new drainage system was installed prior to a fresh planting, and the blooms are now back on track.
"There has been lots of interest in the rose garden," Paul says with satisfaction. "It has developed into a group of five volunteers who do it now."
Quite pleased with that initial decision to move to Garth Trails, Paul says it should have been made even sooner.
"There are relationships and a camaraderie all throughout the community," he reflects. "Not everyone does everything, but everyone is involved in something."
"Life on the lake is Breathtaking all year round"
"Sometimes a secret is worth sharing." says Doctor Cutbush. He and his wife Judy feel fortunate to be among the first ten couples to move into Dover Coast's Adult Lifestyle Community in the beautiful village of Port Dover. They have watched as their dream of life in a golf course community has blossomed and come to fruition. "We loved the concept of a place where everyone lives a more relaxed schedule and has time to entertain and be entertained. Every day is like the weekend!. When asked why we have parties in the middle of the week we reply, because we can!. "
Wes and Judy are avid golfers and the idea of living right on the course excited them.
"To be able to walk to this stunning links style course is like heaven." says Judy. With Wes retiring this past summer, most mornings you will find them together enjoying their favorite sport. Judy has rallied the troops and organized a couple's league that plays on Friday afternoons. Following the game they enjoy a special dinner prepared just for them at the communities restaurant, David's of Dover Coast. "It's not a competitive day says Judy. "We just go out for the fun and the friendships."
The Lake is what originally drew them to Port Dover. Having spent many years boating north of Toronto, water was a must. "This is a magnificent body of water. It is shallow so it warms up earlier in the spring and stays warm later into the fall. This gives us a much longer season to enjoy. The builder recently constructed a waters edge deck/dock facility that provides residents preferred access to the lake in front of David's.
Dover Coast sits on the north shore of Lake Erie just 14 miles north of Long Point. Many species of birds are regularly seen enjoying the area on their way south for the winter. Tundra swans, snowy owls and recently a resident pair of nesting bald eagles. Several of the neighbors named them…without agreement of course!
"We are still as happy with our new home as the day we moved in. We were able to customize it to suit our way of life and were helped along the way by the builder and his talented staff and trades. We are lucky to now count them not only as the builders of our dream but also as good friends!."
As the community grows, it still maintains its quaint charm. With new residents come new friendships, with new amenities come new opportunities to enjoy life at Dover Coast. Join us, the party is just beginning!
More information about Dover Coast