The Mayflower Navigator Fall 2017

MAYFLOWER

inside this issue: CUSTOMIZING YOUR FUTURE Know Your Options EXPLORING NEW ADVENTURES Get Up Close and Personal JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED The Right Place to Land THE FIRST (AND ONLY) CHOICE A PUBLICATION OF THE MAYFLOWER RETIREMENT COMMUNITY FALL 2017

Customizing

YOUR FUTURE

Prepare

Community leader, globetrotter and music lover Diane Sandquist (also pictured on the cover) has traveled the world, but calls The Mayf lower home. At right, she personalized her new residence with brightly painted walls and customized a second bedroom into a space for her grand piano.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS INSIDE AND OUT

C

ivic leader Diane Sandquist has made a career of helping people plan for the future. In 1994 she moved to Orlando to launch what is now Central Florida Foundation (CFF), which distributes funds from individual endowments to benefit the community.

During her tenure at CFF – and previously as president of The Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation in Pennsylvania – Diane advised clients on how best to make philanthropic investments. Many of the same principles that apply to charitable giving – including making informed decisions for both the short- and long-term – also apply to planning ahead in retirement.

“There are many things to consider – and the healthcare component is one of the most important,” she says. “You don’t want to go somewhere that doesn’t provide long-term care at an on-site health center – because even if you don’t need assistance now, it will be there for you 2 | FALL 2017 NAVIGATOR

down the road. That’s why a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) like The Mayflower is a wise choice.”

Diane should know. She served on The Mayflower’s board of directors – including a term as chairman – for more than a decade. “I knew the community inside out,” she says. “From first-hand experience, I saw that The Mayflower was well-run and had a solid national reputation – and that there was low staff turnover, which is really important.”

MEANT TO BE

Still actively involved in community organizations like the English Speaking Union of Central Florida, the University Club of Winter Park, and Junior League, Diane is a world traveler who has visited 80 countries, which she has pinpointed on a map on her music room wall. “What I love about traveling is learning how similar we are as people,” she notes.

“I enjoy immersing in other cultures,

especially when it comes to the food.

I bought cookbooks in every country I visited and then came home and recreated the recipes.”

Among Diane’s favorite destinations: Morocco – where her French language skills came in handy and she found “the best food of all the places I’ve visited” – and the Middle East, which she describes as “very open and welcoming.”

Diane moved to The Mayflower last May, after receiving an unexpected offer on her Winter Springs home. She tailored her new residence to suit her personality – from her bright pink bedroom to a special music room that holds her baby grand piano.

Now fully settled in, she says her favorite moment each day occurs first thing in the morning. “My cat jumps on the bed and says, ‘It’s time to get up,’” she laughs.

“It’s a reflection of the stress-free life I have here. In so many ways, this was simply meant to be.”

P

EXPLORING NEW ADVENTURES

lanners by nature and by profession, Jan Johnson and her husband Don Amicucci have always been “take-charge” kind of people. “We don’t wait for things to happen,” Jan says.

“We’re proactive.”

Jan and Don met while working at IBM – he was in finance; she, in marketing and planning. After 30 years at “Big Blue,” Don took a job offer in Austin, Texas, serving as the Chief Financial Officer for two companies. Jan, who keeps her own name for business purposes, became a consultant. After two successful careers each, they retired to Boca Raton.

There – after maintaining a large house and property began to become a burden – they contemplated their next move.

Over a period of two years, the couple visited 14 different communities throughout Florida, ultimately deciding on The Mayflower. The determining factor, they say, was location. “We just fell in love

Proximity to downtown Winter Park is a big perk for Mayf lower residents. with Winter Park,” says Jan. “It’s a walkable community with plenty of culture. The other places we looked at were too remote and isolated. Here, I feel like I am part of the world.”

Central Floridians since last spring, Jan and Don are still “on an exploration path” – always discovering new places to

go. Among their favorites: the Lowndes Shakespeare Theater and the Enzian.

At The Mayflower, there’s a lot to explore, as well. Jan, who enjoys “exercise of mind and body,” is taking fitness classes, water aerobics and ballroom dancing. She also intends to use her background in marketing and strategic planning to help nonprofit organizations in Winter Park.

Don enjoys golfing, walking and reading, with a special emphasis on economics and political science. Both are enthusiastic about lifelong learning classes in partnership with Rollins College.

After busy days, Jan and Don now retire to their stunning villa, which they remodeled to create a contemporary feel that matches their lifestyle. Modern art adorns the walls – including a signed Salvador Dali featuring Don Quixote.

“This is exactly what we were looking for,” says Jan. “It took a while to make the decision, but it was well worth the wait.”

be proactive

Jan Johnson and Don Amicucci looked at communities throughout Florida, but chose The Mayf lower. They enjoy its walkability, lifelong learning and fitness programs – and their stylish, contemporary villa matches their outlook on life.

FALL 2017 NAVIGATOR | 3

CHOOSING A SENIOR-LIVING COMMUNITY?

P D N A E S O L C P U T E G

L A N ERSO

For fun-loving couple Bob and Toni Barr, The Mayf lower reflects everything they looked for in a community: friendly neighbors, lots of activities and quality healthcare.

WHY NOW? WHY NOT?

W

hen Bob and Toni Barr moved to The Mayflower, they acknowledge that many of their friends questioned their decision. “They felt we were ‘too young’ for a retirement community,” the couple says.

But the Barrs thought differently.

With their two daughters thousands of miles away – one in California, the other in Kansas – Bob and Toni began thinking about the next stage of their lives. “We want to have fun and enjoy life – but we also want to be prepared.”

So prepare, they did.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

“It was a two-step process,” recalls Bob, a retired engineer and 30-year U.S. Army veteran who left the service as a full colonel. “First, we wanted to understand what a continuing care retirement community really is – and then we had to

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decide what type of CCRC we wanted to live in. We spent a lot of time researching online.”

After narrowing their search to a short list, the Barrs hit the road – crossing the country to visit communities in California, Texas and Florida. But, they didn’t just stop by for a tour … no indeed. They spent serious face time with the people who lived there. “We talked a lot and we learned a lot,” says Toni, a former human resources manager and native of Panama. “That’s how you really learn what a community is all about.”

Of all the places they visited, The Mayflower stood apart. “When we had dinner with the residents, they couldn’t stop talking positively,” Toni says.

“It was evident that they loved it here – and that they genuinely liked each other.”

The Barrs were also influenced by the quality of healthcare services offered by The Mayflower – including the on-site wellness clinic, rehab facility and skilled

nursing center. “With our daughters living so far away, that was really important,” adds Bob. “Today, we feel good, thank God – but tomorrow, who knows? Moving here has given us – and just as importantly, our daughters – peace of mind.”

Six months in, the couple is fully embracing The Mayflower lifestyle – working out in the Fitness Center five days a week (Bob hits the weights and Toni exercises in the pool) and enjoying a variety of programs and activities. “When we go to happy hour, we put our cell phones on silent so we can spend quality, undisrupted time with the wonderful people here,” says Toni. “We learn from them every day.”

The Barrs learned a lot about The Mayf lower by dining with residents like Rita Bornstein and Dick Nathan.

A former pediatric physician, Catherine (Cathy) Trenkle, M.D., says healthcare and fitness were top priorities when she chose to move to The Mayf lower.

y f it: a t s o t d e ivat Stay mot EEP

D

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

r. Catherine (Lamprecht) Trenkle spent her career taking care of others.

A pediatrician who specialized in infectious diseases, she practiced at Arnold Palmer, Florida Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital, where she co-founded the International Adoption Medicine Program.

But after retiring from Nemours in 2016, she began to think about her own future healthcare needs. “If something were to happen to me and I needed care, I didn’t want my daughter to have to worry about it,” Cathy says. “So I decided it was time to simplify my life and plan ahead.”

Originally from Chicago, Cathy looked at a number of communities before deciding that The Mayflower offered the best services, location and accommodations.

“I figured this was as good a time as any to downsize,” she says of selling her two-story, 3,100-square-foot home south of Orlando.

“The real estate market is strong, so it made the decision to sell easy.”

Cathy and her two pet Yorkies, Caesar and Charlie, moved into a Mayflower villa that she remodeled extensively – from built-in wall units in the living room to small touches like custom shelving and cubbies in the closet of her second bedroom, where she stores her knitting and quilting supplies. “The Mayflower staff was very accommodating about the

renovations, so I was really able to make it my own,” she says. “It’s homey.”

FOCUS ON FITNESS As you might expect, staying healthy is a top priority for the former physician – so she can often be found biking, swimming or working out at The Mayflower’s Fitness Center, where she attends core balance classes and walks on the treadmill twice a week.

“I never wanted to join a gym and not go,” she admits. “Here, there’s no excuse – everything I need to stay fit is just a threeminute walk from my front door.”

Also on her regular route: the Mayflower library, which is stocked with more than 1,600 books. “They have all the best sellers there,” says the avid reader. “You don’t have to worry about downloads.”

Cathy has acclimated easily to Mayflower social life as well. “I sometimes spend a couple hours dining with companions, rather than eating a quick meal in front of the television, like I used to do,” she says. “There’s a real sense of community here.”

K O T S 5 TIP U GOING YO from Mayf lower Fitness Coordinator Sarah Burke

1.

Determine Your “Why.” Before you

start any new workout routine, ask yourself why you took a hiatus in the first place. Maybe you were recovering from an injury or sickness. Family or social obligations can sidetrack you.

2.

Find Meaning. Aside from having

stronger arms and dropping pants sizes, exercise has other amazing benefits.

You feel more energized, have better body confidence and have improved your overall health. Ask yourself: Why do I work out?

3.

Switch to Positive Mode. When you

envision a goal, it becomes your reality, according to science.

Identify your obstacles and come up with strategies on how to overcome them.

4.

Appreciate Your Body.

The human body is a pretty awe-inspiring machine. So don’t limit your exercise expectations to just the stuff you can and can’t see (ahem, abs).

5.

Quit the Negative Self-Talk. Chances

are, you’re harder on yourself than anyone else. So, reframe those negative thoughts. If you slipped up and had a donut for breakfast, don’t think, “I’m a failure.” Acknowledge that while you may have gone off course today, you’ll do better tomorrow!

THE RIGHT PLACE TO LAND

Pilgrim Descendant Society Opens Door, Mayflower Lifestyle Closes the Deal

I

t was a society for descendants of the Pilgrims that initially brought Doris and Don Barthelmess to The Mayflower.

But it was the amenities and friendliness of residents and staff that convinced them to stay.

Doris and Don Barthelmess say their 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment has a light and airy contemporary feel – and they enjoy the warmth of the sunroom.

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The couple, who are Long Island MAKING THE COMPARISON natives, had been living in Cape Coral In comparing The Mayflower to similar since 1996. Doris, a dispatcher for a communities, a number of factors stood propane company, and Don, a former out. “It was more intimate than the others steamfitter who worked on large we looked at,” the couple says. “And the fee construction projects like the Brookhaven structure is more reasonable, too.”

National Lab and nuclear power facilities, Doris and Don were also impressed felt that the maintenance by the healthcare. “The and responsibility of Mayflower has a doctor and having a waterside home nurse on staff, plus a full and a boat was “just too rehab center on campus,” much to handle.” says Doris. “If you need “We had good years assistance, it’s right here.” there,” says Doris. “But Although they are in good it was time.” health now, Doris says she After looking at five and her husband wanted or six senior-living New Mayf lower resident to plan for the future. “We communities, they came Doris Barthlemess can trace don’t want our healthcare away unimpressed. her family back to three decisions falling to our Until, that is, serendipity passengers who arrived in children. Now they don’t intervened.

Plymouth, MA, in 1620 have to worry about us – Turns out that Doris’ aboard The Mayf lower. and that’s the best thing.” family tree dates back nine generations to none NO REASON TO WAIT other than the Pilgrims. Her daughter, At The Mayflower, the couple are Susan, who lives in Orlando, belongs to enjoying “everything, really.” Don, the The Mayflower Society, an organization consummate fix-it guy, now simply of people who have documented their calls maintenance if he needs something lineage from the passengers who landed repaired, rather than having to take care of at Plymouth Rock. And the group it himself. Doris’ favorite part of the day is often meets – you guessed it – at 1620 dinner time. “The food is great, and I love Mayflower Court. “Susan told us she had that the menu changes every day,” she says. heard good things and urged us to check Her advice to others considering a it out – so we did,” Doris says. “When we community like The Mayflower: “Start first walked in, everybody was so friendly; looking before you have to. There’s so we knew it was definitely the right place much here to enjoy that there’s no good for us.” reason to wait too long.”

For Carolyn Coleman, a voracious reader of whodunits, it was no mystery as to which senior-living community she’d choose: The Mayf lower was the only one on her list. Before moving in, she extensively renovated her apartment – making it more open and accommodating to hosting parties.

THE FIRST (AND ONLY) CHOICE

A

fter living in Winter Park for 49 years, Carolyn Coleman decided that she no longer wanted the responsibility of maintaining a home and living on her own. “I just didn’t want to do it anymore,” she says.

But, she didn’t think twice about what her next move would be. The Mayflower was her first, and only, choice. “I have friends who live here and are very happy – so I knew from them that it was topnotch,” she notes. “Plus, I didn’t have to change my lifestyle – I still do everything I used to do.”

“I love the freedom that comes with living here!”

– Carolyn Coleman

That includes shopping and visiting friends and family in Winter Park, as well as volunteering at All Saints Episcopal Church.

“Every day is a different challenge and a reason to get up,” Carolyn acknowledges. “Here at The Mayflower, I enjoy walking and going to classes at

the Fitness Center. It makes me feel much better.”

Before moving in last July, Carolyn extensively remodeled her new apartment, altering the wall between the living and dining rooms to create space to accommodate parties. “They fixed it up the way I like it,” she says of the renovation. “I feel like I’m at my old home, almost.”

Her advice to anyone looking at senior-living communities: “Don’t fight it. Just relax and enjoy it!”

THE ANSWER TO PRAYER

N

early 25 years have passed since doctors diagnosed Don Jaeger with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, and gave him six months to three years to live. A lay Eucharist minister and a man of deep faith, he answered the diagnosis by praying and seeking the prayers of others. He has been in remission ever since.

“I’m just blessed,” says Don, who owned a technology training company and also founded the Glennon House for Healing at All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park, where he served as director. When he and his wife Sarah began to consider senior-living communities, quality healthcare topped their list of “must-haves.”

“It was a major issue for us,” Don says. “In fact, we visited 18 continuing care communities before choosing The Mayflower. It stood out as the best – and I’ve seen them all.”

Now enjoying a stress-free lifestyle, the Jaegers say early morning is their favorite part of the day. “We get up, do our devotions, read the paper and just putz around,” he says. “This is a great place to be.”

“People need to move here before they need to be here.

You don’t want to wait too long.”

– Don Jaeger

Don and Sarah Jaeger visited 18 communities before selecting The Mayflower.

Don founded the Glennon House for Healing at All Saints Episcopal Church.

THE MAYFLOWER Winter Park’s Distinctive Retirement Community

1620 MAYFLOWER COURT | WINTER PARK, FL 32792

88141 PRAD FNL 11/2017

Get the

INSIDE SCOOP

The Mayf lower’s recently remodeled front lobby

Design the Lifestyle That’s Best for You Moving to a senior-living community is very much an individual decision – and it’s different for everyone. That’s why it’s critical to find a place that enables you to have it your way . . . and to customize your residence to suit your lifestyle. At The Mayflower, you can do that.

From gourmet kitchens to electric fireplaces to home offices and music rooms, our residents have added special touches that reflect their unique personalities. Come visit us and see how creative they are! And, while you’re here, get the inside scoop on why a community that offers a “Type A” contract (like The Mayflower) is the smartest way to design a plan for your future.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONAL TOUR:

407.672.1620