The Park Springs Secret: It’s All About the People

Active seniors from all over the country have discovered a secret. It’s a Life Plan Community located just east of metro Atlanta in Stone Mountain, GA, Park Springs. What makes it so special? The people! From the caring staff and exceptional residents (or Members as they’re called), it’s the people that make this community truly special. That special quality begins with the dedicated Medical team in the onsite Wellness Clinic. “My approach to healthcare is not restrained by time,” says Medical Director, Dr. Khurram Khan. “I am able to provide better care.” Dr. Khan is part of a team of onsite geriatricians, including a highly-trained movement disorder neurologist, and a nurse practitioner. A complete Continuum of Care including Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Respite Care is available as well.

The community is also centered around the people behind Park Springs’ legendary cuisine. “One of the top reasons people come here is for a culinary adventure,” says head chef, Marcus Walden. “From Mediterranean to Italian to French to Japanese, I don’t have any boundaries.” Delicious, healthy menus are available in multiple dining venues from formal dining to casual fare.

When Members aren’t connecting over a great meal, they can be found having fun in other ways all across the tranquil 61-acre campus. Over 50 Member-led clubs and social groups, an abundance of amenities, and a totally maintenance- free lifestyle mean there’s always something fun to do and someone to do it with.

“You have to re-program your thinking because now you can do more fun things than you ever could do before!” says Member, Doug B.

From playing pétanque, bridge, and mahjong to joining neighbors for a game of water volleyball or golf at Stone Mountain’s two championship golf courses, there’s a friendly face at every turn.

“Park Springs is so people-oriented,” says Member, Marilyn S. “The staff is so friendly; if I don’t say hello to them first, they say hello to me first. We know lots of the staff and we know tons of Members. It’s really fun.”

Experience the exceptional people of Park Springs for yourself. Call 678-684-3300 or visit ParkSprings.com today.

BY BETH SLAUGHTER SEXTON STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The award-winning Aurora Theatre begins its 28th season with the Tony and Grammy-award winning production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Presented August 17 to September 10 on the Lawrenceville Arts Center’s Clyde & Sandra Strickland Grand Stage, this musical chronicles the inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Starring Bethany Irby as Carole King, Beautiful features words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carol King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Based on the book by Douglas McGrath, the musical is directed and choreographed by David Rossetti with music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and music direction by Ann-Carol Pence.

Since writing her first number one hit, Will You Love Me Tomorrow? at the age of 17, King has become one of the most celebrated and iconic singer-songwriters of all time. She wrote the song for The Shirelles with her then-husband Gerry Goffin. The dozens of chart hits they wrote during this period have become part of music legend, including Take Good Care of My Baby, The Loco-Motion, Up On The Roof, One Fine Day, Just Once In My Life, You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman) and many more.

To date, more than 400 of King’s compositions have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists resulting in 100 hit singles. Her 1971 solo album, Tapestry took King to the pinnacle. The musical tells the story of her journey as a singer-songwriter and features many of her hit songs, including You’ve Got a Friend, On Broadway and others.

“We open with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Aurora’s Al Stilo said. “Knead is a heartwarming play about a woman on the night before her 60th birthday trying to conquer her mother’s confusing bread recipe and all of the memories and emotions that are folded into this process. The other cool part is the loaf of bread is baked from start to finish in real time during the show. We also have a new comedy set in a retirement community and as always, Canteen appeals to all ages, but is full of great nostalgia.”

An Aurora original, Christmas Canteen will be on the Clyde & Sandra Strickland Grand Stage November 24 to December 23. Thousands flock to the Lawrenceville Arts Center each season to experience the joy of this unique theatrical tradition. With spectacular musical numbers, bursts of comedy and a touch of nostalgia, all ages enjoy this holiday tradition.

Written and performed by Mary Lynn Owen, Knead will be on the Lawrenceville Arts Center’s Metro Waterproofing Main Stage January 25 to February 18. A woman plagued by insomnia is determined that her mother’s bread recipe will work. The ingredients of time and memory keep interfering and the breadmaking process becomes a deeper journey. On the eve of a significant birthday, the granddaughter of Cuban immigrants mixes the ingredients of her past into a spectacular night that rises and falls with loaves that somehow end up in the oven. Owen is a Suzi Bass Award-winner for her performance in Aurora’s Wit Greener Pastures by Lori Fischer opens March 21, 2024, on the Clyde & Sandra Strickland Grand Stage and continues through April 7. Featuring the story of 48-year-old Dorothy, a two-bit actor with performance anxiety who has reached her breaking point portraying a singing sandwich on the local children’s show, Lunchtime with Munchkins, the show has been called a “Golden Girls meets The Odd Couple crowd-pleaser.” When Dorothy finds a technicality in her contract, she chucks it all to live the good life at the Greener Pastures Retirement Center.

Sister Act completes Season 28, and is based on the 1992 Touchstone Pictures Sister Act film. Starring Jasmine Renee Ellis as Deloris Van Cartier, Sister Act will be on stage next May 23 through June 16. Lounge singer Deloris witnesses a murder and is placed in protective custody in a convent. Disguised as a nun, diva Deloris is at odds with the rigid lifestyle of the sisters.

This month, as it finishes up Season 27, the Aurora presents The Play That Goes Wrong, which is about opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, where “things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous.” This Olivier Award-winning comedy offers a hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes.

In addition, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band will be on stage at the Aurora Friday, July 14. Order online with promo code GENERATIONS and get $5 off tickets (some restrictions apply).

To purchase season tickets or for more information about all upcoming Aurora events, visit www.auroratheatre.com. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking deck.