The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch®
Fall 2021
Live Fulfilled! 7333 Scotland Way Sarasota, FL 34238 941-552-5369 or 888-999-GLEN (4536) www.TheGlenridge.com A Not-For-Profit Community governed by a Sarasota Board of Directors
Choices
Inside 2 Finding True Freedom 3 From Board Member to Community Member 4 Living Without Worries
A Culture of Well-Being
Intangible Ingredients Help Glenridge Members Flourish From the very beginning, The Glenridge was mindfully designed to advance the senior-living industry by redefining aging and challenging the status quo. But the prototype we envisioned far exceeded our expectations: We started out to create something different … we ended up making something truly magical.
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rom its breathtaking natural beauty and welcoming ambience … to the palpable energy that permeates the social scene … to the abundance of smiles on members’ faces – there’s something about The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch that truly sets it apart. “As the nation’s first Life Fulfilling Community®, The Glenridge was a trailblazer,” says CEO Jim Cater. “It was designed to commune with nature; provide challenging, engaging, memberdriven programming; and create a therapeutic environment where social and cultural forces positively shape the lives of the people who live here. And every day, we see proof that the concept is working!” The philosophy pioneered by The Glenridge is rooted in science – and it’s all about helping people live their best lives. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, an innovator in the field of positive psychology, five elements must be present for individuals to flourish: Positive emotions; Engagement; Relationships; Meaning; and Accomplishment – or PERMA, for short. It’s the foundation for a life of profound fulfillment, says Cater: “We call it The Glenridge Effect, and we’ve seen it positively impact so many people who move in and just get a ‘second wind.’ They really do flourish here.”
Like Nowhere Else Ever since her first visit, Chris Dermody has known there’s something special about The Glenridge. Right away, she knew it was “unlike anywhere else.” “Everyone was so kind, so happy, so engaged – Lifelong volunteer Chris Dermody and you could see what first learned about The Glenridge a difference that made,” after bringing her certified therapy she recalls. “Before long, dog Chauncey to visit members at the Carroll Center. I was coming by every other week. And I thought, ‘If I ever want to make a move, this is where I’d like to go.’” Several years later, that dream has come true – and now she’s experiencing “The Glenridge Effect” for herself. “You
Architect’s renderings, subject to change.
have to stay engaged as you get older,” she says. “And here, there’s always something new – you’re surrounded by interesting, accomplished people who can teach you so much about everything they’ve done and seen.” Most of all, Chris can enjoy today without worrying about tomorrow. “It’s real security,” she says. “I know that no matter what I need down the road, The Glenridge has it all.”
bridge lessons, she enjoys pastimes that keep her mind sharp. For the Oakes, there’s no question that The Glenridge was the right decision. “We had our son over for a visit, and he asked us, ‘If you could live anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?’” says David. “Phyllis and I looked at each other and said: ‘We’re right where we want to be.’ We couldn’t have made a better choice.”
Right Where We Want To Be When David and Phyllis Oakes moved to The Glenridge, they were ready to “dive right in” – literally, in David’s case. A competitively ranked swimmer, he joined the sport as an older adult and rose through the ranks to participate in state, national and international meets. “To me, swimming is the fountain of youth,” he says. “It’s generally much easier on the joints than running or jogging, and it really gets your heart rate up. Once you get out of the water, you feel like you’ve really accomplished something.” Wellness plays a big role at The Glenridge – and athletes like David can enjoy all the advantages of the community’s state-of-the-art Fitness Center and 75-ft. lap pool. While staying physically fit is vital to living your best life, former librarian Phyllis says exercising the brain is just as important. Whether she’s playing Mahjong or taking
David and Phyllis Oakes say wellness is the foundation of being happy – so The Glenridge, with its focus on living well, is the “perfect scenario.”
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Finding True Freedom Understanding the importance of planning ahead, these members discovered that the right course for their future led straight to The Glenridge. So, they chose to make the move now and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle, while awaiting the completion of the upcoming Northside Neighborhood. Freedom To Flourish
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rom founding his own chemical firm, to traveling the world for business, to exploring the outdoors as a hiker and kayaker, Manny Joaquim has always charted his own course through life, seeking new opportunities and challenges. “When I heard about the Northside Neighborhood, it was the freedom that appealed to me,” he says. “Living here, you’re free to do what you want – or not. It’s a perfect fit for my lifestyle.” Situated amid acres of greenspace, the upcoming neighborhood is attractive to those, like Manny, who lead active lives and love the outdoors. A longtime cyclist, he’s especially glad to have Sarasota’s Legacy Trail just minutes from his front door and a state-of-the-art Fitness Center just a short walk or bike ride away. “I’m anxious to take advantage of all the opportunities,” he says. “The word ‘retirement’ is not in my vocabulary.” At the same time, Manny wants to be ready for anything: “I built my career on planning and flexibility – and after I sold my business, I started thinking about what might happen down the road. That’s when I started looking more seriously at my next step.” And the first time he saw The Glenridge,
he was sold: “As soon as you arrive on campus, you sense that this place is one of a kind. There’s no pressure at all. And that allows you to flourish and spread your wings.”
Simply the Best of Its Kind
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rom the moment they arrived at The Glenridge, John and Nancy Meyers knew it was different. “We were drawn in by the beautiful campus, the socialization, and the atmosphere,” Nancy recalls. “It stood out as someplace special, and we were sure that this was where we wanted to be.” When the couple heard about the community’s expansion, their decision was simple. “Northside is simply the best of its kind,” says John. “We wanted to make the best choice that we could. And so far, it’s proven to be exactly the right one.” With a leisurely, maintenance-free lifestyle, The Glenridge will give the couple more opportunities to rekindle old hobbies and explore new ones. For Nancy, that means diving back into her longtime hobby of playing piano … while John plans to dust off his own musical skills with The Glenridge Singers. “You don’t realize how much the little things get in the way of everyday life,” Nancy says. “There was never enough time to do everything we’d always wanted to do – but here, that’s not a concern.” While their move to Northside is still on the horizon, the couple is already taking advantage of the community’s amenities – from yoga at the Fitness Center to scenic bike rides around the lush campus. “The Glenridge has already become ‘home’ to us … in every sense of the word,” says John. “It’s safe, welcoming, comfortable – and somewhere we always feel happy.”
After doing his research, Manny Joaquim says The Glenridge stood out: “It was top-notch, high quality, rated five stars, and gave me a lot of choices.”
For John and Nancy Meyers, The Glenridge is safe, welcoming, and comfortable – a place where they always feel happy.
A Whole New World
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or Jeff and Jane Johnson, life at The Glenridge has been a breath of fresh air. “We love living in Sarasota, but when things were shut down, we felt isolated with just the two of us in our house on Siesta Key,” Jane says. “We had gotten to the place in our lives where we didn’t want to worry about house, garden, and waterfront maintenance anymore; we just wanted that independence and less responsibility. Since coming here, it’s felt like a whole new world.” With a host of dinner invitations and a thriving social scene, it’s been easy for the Johnsons to feel at home. “The people are just lovely,” Jane adds. “Having lots to do and friends to enjoy life with – that’s one of the best things you can do for yourself.” Another must for the couple: staying fit. “The Glenridge has very safe walking and biking trails, so we take advantage of that,” Jeff says. “We also swim and work out in the Fitness Center, which is top notch!” In fact, “top notch” is how the Johnsons describe everything about their new home. “Peace of mind … security … activities … carefree living … independence … and the flexibility we’ll have at Northside – I could go on and on,” Jane adds. “We just love it here!”
From Board Member to Community Member:
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Ginger Judge Lives Each Day to the Fullest
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Joyce and Tony Parker say The Glenridge is “so upbeat that you don’t feel like you’re aging here.”
Setting Sail for Adventure
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et sail for adventure” is a motto that Tony and Joyce Parker take literally. For more than six years, the Parkers, along with their two cats, lived on a boat and traveled 35,000 miles along America’s waterways, stopping at ports from Ottawa to The Bahamas. “Every day brought something new,” says Joyce. When the couple settled in Port Charlotte – after years of boating, camping, and traveling the country by RV – they decided it was time to start planning for their next destination. But finding the right fit proved a challenge at first. “We’ve always lived close to nature, so we just couldn’t see ourselves living in a high-
rise apartment or city condo,” says Tony. “But when we heard about the Northside Neighborhood, we knew we found what we were looking for.” Located amid lakes, wetlands, and upland preserves, Northside Club Homes and Villas will offer plenty of space and privacy. While the area is under construction, the Parkers have already settled into the Glenridge lifestyle. Joyce has been getting to know all their new neighbors, and Tony enjoys racing remote-controlled sailboats with the “Glenridge Model Yacht Club.” “One of the mottos here is ‘flourish,’” says Tony. “That’s something you can read about – and talk about – but you don’t really feel it until you live here. That’s when it just clicks.”
To stay in shape, Jane and Jeff Johnson walk, bike, and work out at the Fitness Center at least three days a week.
lthough Virginia “Ginger” Judge officially became a Glenridge member this past July, she’s long been an integral part of the community – helping to shape its future as a 15-year member of the Board of Directors. “Serving on the Board, I watched the unbelievable growth,” says the longtime Sarasota resident. “And we’re still continuing to evolve with the construction of the Northside Neighborhood. This was – and is – the best place to live in Sarasota.” To anyone who knows Ginger, her leadership bona fides come as no surprise. After decades of service on nonprofit and university boards, she’s an expert at keeping all the gears moving – sometimes literally. As the president of her family business, Honeycomb Company of America, she managed contracts for selling military aircraft replacement parts to the government. She also recently celebrated 50 years of volunteering with Easterseals, a nonprofit organization that helps disabled children and adults. Although her main focus is on financials, she’s a familiar face at the charity’s local therapy clinic and school – including as a rosy-cheeked, gift-giving “Mrs. Claus” at Christmas. Living at The Glenridge, Ginger now sees the community through a different lens – and it’s every bit as wonderful as she thought it would be. “It’s what I call genuine hospitality,” she says. “Everybody is very friendly and very upbeat – they’re kind and nice to you. I don’t think we have enough of that in the world these days.” At this stage of her life, Ginger says, “I’m ready to take a step back, let go of the stress, enjoy my new surroundings, and see where life takes me. There’s such a sense of security and well-being here that allows me to live each day to the fullest and not have to worry about tomorrow.”
After 15 years on The Glenridge’s Board of Directors, Ginger Judge looks forward to life as a member at “the best place to live in Sarasota.”
Living Without Worries …
Members Say The Glenridge’s Stress-Free Lifestyle Allows Them To Stay Healthier, Longer No More Responsibilities
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rian Lavery is a “do it yourself” kind of guy: Whether he’s restoring old cars, woodworking, or tinkering with electronics, the former IT specialist enjoys projects that keep his hands busy and his mind sharp. His DIY skillset has served him and his wife Moira well over the years – but eventually, everyday home maintenance and upkeep began to feel more like a burden. “There were days when something needed repairs, and we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in a place where we didn’t have to worry about it?’” recalls Moira. “I realized that I didn’t want to do it all myself anymore,” Brian says. “That’s what really led us to The Glenridge. We don’t have
to worry about anything here. Everything is taken care of.” And with less to keep up with, there’s more time to enjoy life. “It’s a pleasure just to go wandering around the campus if you’re a biker or a walker,” says Moira. “The grounds are beautiful. We can watch wildlife from our patio across the lake: Gloria and Mike Bolton say the key to wellness is staying active intellectually and physically. Avid readers, they also enjoy bicycling egrets, deer, blue herons … it’s around The Glenridge campus. like stepping out into nature.” As for Brian: Although he’s still happy to Glenridge Academy and Fitness Center. “I love “do it himself,” he likes having the option to learn, and there are lots of opportunities to not to. “Living here feels like going back do that here,” she says. to your childhood,” he says. “Even better: Meanwhile, when he’s not cycling, swimming, No responsibilities and no chores!” golfing, or playing croquet, Mike spends time writing about America. Over the past years, Inspired and Invigorated he’s written hundreds of letters to thought leaders, journalists and friends, commenting hen Mike and Gloria Bolton started on current issues and reminding others about researching senior-living communities, the importance of protecting our civil liberties. The Glenridge stood out. “Although we looked “I try to encourage a better path,” he says. at several other places, we kept gravitating As a community committed to living well, back here,” says Gloria. “It’s unique. You The Glenridge has the same philosophy. “The can do whatever you like – without worries.” amenities and programs here are oriented For the Boltons, that means pursuing a toward taking the anxiety out of life and healthy, fulfilling lifestyle: getting involved, simplifying it,” the Boltons add. “It’s socializing, staying active and fit, being an environment that keeps intellectually engaged – and finding us healthier longer inspiration. and provides care if Gloria intends to spend more time on we need it. That gives her watercolor, oil painting, croquet and us – and our children – her weekly Mahjong games (“They keep peace of mind.” me thinking”), and enroll in classes at the
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At The Glenridge, Brian and Moira Lavery have settled into a lifestyle that’s simple and stress-free.
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