Tag Archives: Atlanta Active Adult Communities

From a Members Point of View: A Week at Park Springs

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Every wondered what it would be like to live your retirement as a Park Springs resident? Read the below testimony from one of our many happy residents about how great a week can be here at Park Springs, a premiere Atlanta Retirement Community.

“It’s been an exciting week for Park Springs residents. It took the big red bus we have to transport the many Park Springs residents to the dinner club venture to Dante’s Down the Hatch restaurant in Atlanta. The restaurant was designed around an 18th century sailing ship concept with ship cabins provided for seating small groups to enjoy the experience of a delicious fondue dinner. The hostess fired up the oil pots while we sipped drinks and indulged on the fine bread. The menu offered many fine items to choose from. I ordered the mandarin combo which included cut pieces of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp and vegetables. Each bite was cooked to taste on the long fondue forks. We enjoyed the live entertainment of a guitar player located right behind our table. The diner encouraged fun and friendly conversation and tons of great food. The experience was enjoyed by everyone.

We finished the last of the Olli: Great Decisions series this week as well, with a most interesting lecture onIndonesia. This is a county that many of us knew very little about. These lectures have been extremely interesting and well presented by experts from the field. Each one was thought provoking and very informative and we all look forward to the next series schedule.

On Wednesday, Simone escorted a group of fifteen residents on an architectural tour of Bulkhead and downtownAtlanta. We picked up Jim H,many of us knew him from his guided tour of Northern Atlanta and his visual presentation ofWestern Europe. Jim led us on a leisurely tour through the Bulkhead community pointing out many architecturally outstanding homes of the rich and famous people who live inAtlanta. We learned to identify four basic styles of Greek architecture displayed on many of the house columns. This part of the tour was completed in time to have a delicious lunch at Six Feet Under, located right across the street from the famousOaklandCemetery. The restaurant is noted for its delicious fish dishes and many of us had their famous shrimp or fish baskets which includes their thin sliced fried potatoes. Everyone enjoyed the lunch.

We then took a bus tour aroundOaklandCemeterywith frequent stops for briefing information regarding the history and significant of the cemetery. We then toured downtown, midtown and uptownAtlantawith interesting briefings regarding the architect, architectural significance  and history of many ofAtlanta’s famous buildings. It was noted that many of the downtown buildings were designed by world famous architects like I.M Pei and Richard Meier. We then drove through Olympic park to end up at the world famous Peachtree Christian Church. The church is famous for its world class stained glass windows. The Minster escorted us through the sanctuary explaining each window and how they depicted the birth, life and crucifixion of Christ. This church is world famous and is more beautiful than any that I have see in Europe.

It was great week for Park Springs residents which provided many opportunities for site seeing, entertainment, knowledge of the area and good dining.

Park Springs Member- William S.

Park Springs Wellness Challenge

Barry Nave
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Wellness is defined as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a more successful lifestyle.

How is this different from most incentive programs?

Unlike the typical exercise incentive program, the mental, social, vocational, and spiritual aspects will also be included. While this is a competition, the primary goal is to have our members and staff support and encourage one another and continue to be an Atlanta active adult community.

How does this challenge work?

We have 74 resident members and 32 staff members participating in this 8-week challenge. On February 6th, we all started keeping track of our cardio exercise, resistance exercise, exercise classes, water intake, and even mind/spirit development and volunteering. Most of us are divided up into 21 different teams. Each team has at least one staff member. The team and individual standings will come out every Friday starting February 17th. Check back here every week to see our progress as we improve our mind, body, spirit, and quality of life!!

Taste of the Good Life

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Our Food and Beverage Department put on the first ever “Taste of Park Springs” early in October. The event was a showcase for our foodservice vendors. Some of the delicious creations were returning favorites and some were new original ideas. There were some true works of culinary art by Park Spring’s very own Food and Beverage Department. It was a treat for everyone in attendance. On hand we had Buckhead Beef, Inland Seafood, Performance Food Group, Empire Distributers, Kraft Foods and Phoenix Produce. Special tables were devoted to our Dining Venues (Springhouse Grill, Main Dining Room, Le Cordon Bleu Externs). Our Registered Dietician also had a table and answered any questions the members had about diets or the any of the foods presented. The event was truly a tasty experience!

March was a very Irish month for Cobblestone

Lisa Kiely
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The month of March was full of many different activities with an Irish theme.  We made green soap, greeting cards, and rice crispie treats.  The members learned so much about St.Patricks day with all the trivia, puzzles, songs and games.  Happy hour each week included something green from cupcakes to jello, we all had a great month celebrating the Irish heritage and customs.  It was a month enjoyed by everyone at Cobblestone and all over our Atlanta area retirement community.

The new month brings new fun things to learn and do.  I can’t wait.

Jennifer Roach

Individual Attention

Nils Stein
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Park Springs food service department works hard to give each and every person that dines in any of the venues at our Atlanta retirement community’s individual attention.  We strive to give the highest rated food and service possible where at Park Springs a score of six is the best.  Each one of the staff is in-serviced daily on each of the individual needs Members may have.  Whether it is low sodium, no-sugar added or certain allergies staff has some education on how to provide that Member with the proper food items from that days menu.  When questions arise Management and the Chef are available as a reference to assist the staff and Members for each food item.  We look forward to providing everyone that individual service, please let us know what we can do for you in order to receive that rating of six every time you dine with us.

We Love Making Soap!

Lisa Kiely
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A Blog written by Latawyna:

I was introduced to soap making when I was a little girl.
My grandmother made all kinds of soap from lard ~ so when
I became an adult I started to make my own soap from
Organic oils such as Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, and Shea Butter.

I also use Essential oils to blend in the mixture to make that perfect bar of soap. I love to create my own beauty Homemade soap bar and it makes me feel good.

(Latawyna is sharing her love of soap making with the members of Cobblestone! Cobblestone is a huge part of our Atlanta continuing care retirement community)

1st Friday Party, 9200 Building

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The 1st Friday Party in 9200 for March was hosted by the Marketing and Sales group who have recently moved their office into 9200, so are now a part of “our family”. The party was in the new office so all the residents could see how the unit had been transformed into office space. Almost every resident attended (as is normal for our parties) with the exception of two couples who were out of town.Also we had a prospective member attending. Marketing provided wonderful Mexican dishes, and residents, as we always do, brought various dishes and beverages. These parties are a great time to visit and have fun as a group. After the party here, we, and another couple, took our guest to dinner in the dining room. Excellent meal!! After dinner we went to a Mardi Gras Party for all Park Springs members in the Community hall. It was decorated for the party and had King Cakes, beads, hats, drinks, etc. Also music for dancing. Quite a full Friday afternoon and evening.

Fitness Guru

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Fitness Guru  

By: Lenoria Mackey

Mr. George S. has always had a passion for physical fitness.  George has worked out for a long time. He swam laps daily, and utilized free weights into his workouts.  About nine years ago, George underwent a four-way heart by-pass surgery. This major complication didn’t stop him from achieving his fitness goals.  It was during rehab at DeKalb Wellness Center, where he started a structured fitness regimen, which consisted of utilizing treadmills, bikes and the Aerodine. George used to weigh 221 lbs. Today, he weighs a fit 165 lbs. He contributes this to not only a diet that consists of low sugar, low fat, low cholesterol and no salt; but to a chosen lifestyle of healthy eating.  George fondly remembers the days when he would dread changing from his work clothes into swim trunks, to get some exercise after a hard day at work. George said, “Once I was changed and ready, all of the mental anguish washed away.  I was physically tired, but it was a good tired feeling.  It rejuvenated me!” He recommends all members of Park Springs to visit the staff at the Fitness Center, so that they can point you in the right direction, to keep your body in tune, horned in, so that you don’t become flabby; don’t worry about proving anything to anyone.  We’re still alive, and physical fitness will keep you alive!”

Honoring our Residents

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Honoring our Residents

By: Delysia McNair

Howard D. has lived in Atlanta most of his life, and was studying electrical engineering at Georgia Tech when the war interrupted his career plans. Joining the army in April 1942, he was selected for the radar program. He went to OCS, finished his degree at Georgia Tech, and then went through MITRadarSchool. In the army he specialized in the 90 millimeter anti-aircraft canon, and was sent to the islands of Leyte and Luzon in the Philippines. When the war ended, he went with the 25th infantry for six months in the occupation of Japan.

Meanwhile Rita lived in Manila with her three sisters and a brother. She went to parochial school through 7th grade, and then was in high school when the war broke out. Schools were closed during the Japanese occupation of four years, but Rita managed to learn secretarial skills at a business school. She worked as a receptionist for the Japanese, learning enough of the language to answer the phone; in addition, Rita spoke Spanish, Tagalog, and English. “It was very difficult during the last year of the occupation,” Rita remembered. “There were no supplies, so the Japanese went from house to house taking all the food that was left. There was a prisoner of war camp, where General Wainwright was, at the University of the Philippines, near the river. The Japanese blew up all the bridges so there was no escape. Later, all the civilians trapped with Japanese on the other side of the river were killed – the whole city was burning.” Liberation came in 1945, but there was still hardly any water. “My mother and I would line up every day for a pail of water that was our daily ration.” Rita said.

Howard was sent back to Manila in 1946, and they met. They married in 1947 and three days later Howard had to leave for Atlanta.

Three months later, Rita left as a war bride and travelled by ship for 21 days to land inCalifornia February 1948. “Then I had six days on a train, and arrived inAtlanta in the worst ice storm!” Rita remembered. The couple lived inAtlanta, and had two children, later giving them six grandchildren.

Howard was a field engineer with the civil aeronautics administration, and did research at Georgia Tech on radar projects. He later worked with Scientific Atlanta as a chief executive officer. They always enjoyed travelling all over Europe andAsia.

Rita and Howard moved to Park Springs in August 2004. Their favorite thing here is the people. Rita has been involved with the leisure committee and the employee appreciation functions, and helps at the store. Howard enjoys reading and keeping up with all sports on TV.