Blog

An ongoing blog series on rewarding ways to spend your time.

For most residents in senior living communities, retirement defines their way of life.

Yet retirement means vastly different things to different people. For some, it’s a time to “kick back” and enjoy the serenity of leisurely senior living—finally free from a lifetime of job-related deadlines and pressures. For others, it’s a chance to explore and participate in those activities that were simply impractical and/or impossible due to the time constraints imposed by a 40-hour workweek and three weeks’ vacation.

There is, of course, no wrong way to spend your retirement years; after all, you’ve earned the right to lead the lifestyle of your choosing! That’s why, here at Southgate at Shrewsbury retirement community, we offer a multitude of amenities that allow residents to relax, unwind or pursue a new (or old) passion as they see fit—including everything from a 200-seat theater to a health club and spa, indoor swimming pool, arts and crafts studio, four-lane candlepin bowling alley, billiard and card room, woodworking shop and cozy library with fireplace.

And yet, even those options represent only a select few. In fact, in terms of ways to enjoy your retirement living at Southgate at Shrewsbury, truly the sky’s the limit.

In this on-going blog series, we will discuss some activities and pursuits you may want to explore further. Don’t forget: Retirement living is a unique opportunity, since you possess the greatest gift life has to offer—time.

Join the Club. (Or Start One!)

A comforting phenomenon we all experience is when we realize there are others “just like us.” Despite our uniqueness as individuals, there are countless instances in which people share common interests.

After all, why else would there have been a Frank Sinatra (or an Elvis Presley? or a James Dean?) Fan Club?

Since clubs are a great way to bond with like-minded individuals, there is a proliferation of them in our society—seemingly covering every possible topic one could imagine. Chances are, whatever your diehard interest, there’s a club somewhere devoted to it.

That, too, is part of the inherent allure of clubs: They can be formed anywhere by anyone with any number of members. Right here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, you and your neighbors may already participate in some of our culture’s more common clubs, such as book clubs, film clubs or theater clubs. (And, with our well-stocked library and beautiful 200-seat theater, the facilities at Southgate at Shrewsbury serve as terrific venues for the hosting of such clubs.)

Let your imagine wander. What do you love to do? What do you love to talk about? What activity have you always been passionate about? We encourage you to talk with your fellow residents and exchange club ideas. There’s no better way to gauge the level of interest concerning specific topics.

Here are just a few suggested topics to help get your thinking started:

• Walking. It’s the easiest form of exercise and provides a great “excuse” to socialize. With a beautiful, 30-acre campus and on-site park, Southgate at Shrewsbury is the perfect setting for a walking club.
• Foreign languages. Interest in languages other than our own is fairly common—particularly in retirement years, when seniors tend to make trips abroad. Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, more and more residents are taking our newly offered language classes, including Chinese and Spanish (and even sign language, for those really motivated students!). In addition to participating in these types of learning sessions, you may want to form foreign language clubs with other attendees; such clubs can serve as great forums in which to practice your new linguistic skills and exchange stories about international travel.
• Current events. Staying informed about the world’s latest developments is important at any age. Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, we offer a current news program that stimulates discussions and debates on today’s “hottest” topics. Forming a club with a similar focus could prove a valuable (and highly enjoyable!) forum for participants.
• Lectures. Attending presentations by knowledgeable experts always proves worthwhile. The universe of topics, of course, is virtually unlimited, which means almost any subject is “fair game.” For example, here at Southgate at Shrewsbury we offer a monthly lecture series featuring guest speakers as diverse as politicians, artists and authors. Starting your own lecture club might be a great way to get people involved in an educational, interactive activity.
• Needlework. Knit one, purl two. Repetitive needlework like knitting and crotchet has been shown to have inherent health benefits, including everything from stress reduction to pain management. More than likely, some of your fellow residents also indulge in this creative hobby and would be interested in joining a needlework club.
• Photography. Sure, the technology surrounding photography has evolved immensely in recent years. But the drive to capture emotive images—those never-to-be-replicated moments frozen in time—is the same today as in the earliest days of daguerreotypes. With a photography club, you could share some of your own creative work and exchange stories on your favorite style, image or photographer.

In blog #2 of this series, we’ll continue our discussion about fun activities for retirees.

If you’re considering moving into a retirement community but are worried that it will mean fewer opportunities to have your grandkids over for a visit, then you’ll be glad to learn that an independent living community like Southgate at Shrewsbury likely offers far more activities and entertainment for kids of all ages than you have now. In fact, many of our residents find that their grandkids want to visit more often once they move in, in order to take advantage of all the amenities and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Things to do at Southgate at Shrewsbury

Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, we are committed to providing the very best that independent living has to offer. That means providing a variety of amenities, activities and entertaining programs every month of the year. With so much variety, your grandchildren are bound to find a few favorites among the many options for activities and entertainment offered right here on the Southgate campus—no matter their ages or interests.

For starters, plenty of fun and games can be had in our aptly named Game Room. It features billiards, foosball and ping-pong tables that let you test your skills against your favorite competitors! You can even show your grandkids that ‘this old dog does have new tricks’ with a strategic game of checkers or cards. (Whether you let them win or not!) If your grandkids are more active, you can score big with a rousing round of bowling at our four-lane candlepin bowling alley. Or, make a big splash they won’t soon forget with a dip in Southgate at Shrewbury’s indoor swimming pool.

The warmer months are an especially great time to take advantage of all that this independent living retirement community offers outdoors. Take time to explore the Southgate Park walking paths. Then, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the green after an eventful game of bocce in our outdoor bocce court.

There are also ice cream social parties on Sundays at Southgate at Shrewsbury’s very own ice cream parlor. And don’t forget about our summer concert series featuring live music on the lawn of Southgate Park every Tuesday evening. The concert series is one of the most beloved events we hold all year, and perfect for family get togethers.

Since Southgate at Shrewsbury is considered senior living at its finest, there’s no excuse for the grandchildren not to have the best time visiting with their grandparents.

Create Your Own Adventure, Off-Campus

Just because there’s plenty to keep young ones busy at your independent living residence doesn’t mean you have to find something to do on-campus. As we head into summer, you might want to make plans with the family to visit area attractions and recreational opportunities outside of Southgate.

The EcoTarium, located in nearby Worcester, MA, is a unique museum exploring science and nature with ever-changing exhibits and activities. Experience both indoor and outdoor exhibits showcasing various flora and fauna, the latter of which currently includes wildcats, bald eagles and animals living in freshwater habitats. Explore the marvels of nature at specially designed play areas where you and your grandchildren can build, dig, climb and more! Then, end the day with a relaxing ride aboard the Explorer Express, a 12-minute open air passenger train ride, or take a scenic walk down the EcoTarium’s many wooded trails. Pricing is cost-effective at just $14 for seniors aged 65+ as well a for children aged 2-18 (adult tickets are $18).

Northboro’s Tougas Family Farm is another local option teeming with outdoor activities the whole family will enjoy, with healthy perks to boot! This family-owned farm boasts U-Pick schedules for produce through the summer and fall seasons, from the beginning of June to the end of November. (Pricing is based on season and produce harvested.) Stop in at the beginning of June for pick-your-own strawberries, and then cherries as we head into July. And be sure to come back mid-to-late summer for blueberries, peaches and raspberries! Tougas Family Farm also has a playground and a mini petting zoo, and you’re invited to stay and enjoy a picnic-style lunch from fresh baked goodies sold at the Farm Store and Snack Shack.

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy an equal blend of relaxation and play, nearby Lake Quinsigamond offers two public areas to soak up the sun—Regatta Point and Lake Park. Both are open for the summer season starting June 1, and parking is $8 per day, per vehicle. Whether you’re interested in swimming, sailing, canoeing, picnicking or fishing, both parks areas provide numerous recreational opportunities. You can even play tennis!

So, if you’re considering moving to our independent living community, you now know that you don’t have to worry that you’ll have less time for family togetherness. And if you’d like to see the amenities and activities mentioned in this blog first hand, please give us a call to schedule a tour!

For so many residents of our senior living retirement community here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, walking through the lovely Southgate Park is an immensely enjoyable activity. In addition to the joy it brings, it also conveys excellent health benefits.

Walking remains one of the best forms of exercise for maintaining our overall health, particularly when it comes to agility, balance and cardiovascular conditioning. In fact, studies have shown that, for people of all ages, walking can do everything from help lower blood sugar and ease joint pain to boost immune function, improve mood and increase energy levels.

At Southgate at Shrewsbury retirement community, walking is consistently one of the most popular activities among residents. Much of the appeal is attributable to the safety, comfort and beauty of our campus and facilities; both the interior areas (e.g., broad, carpeted hallways; walkway bridge; atrium) and the exterior areas (e.g., sprawling 30-acre park) are perfectly suited for taking leisurely strolls.

Of course, it also helps that walking doesn’t require any special exercise equipment and can be done at nearly any time of day.

All this notwithstanding, if you still need some inspiration to put on your walking shoes, no better source can be found than a brief life history of Edward Payson Weston, America’s so-called “Greatest Pedestrian.”

A Life on the Road

A true original (and natural showman!), Mr. Weston was born in 1839 in Providence, Rhode Island. His illustrious career began in 1861 at 22 years of age, when he boasted to a friend that, if Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election, he would walk the nearly 500 miles from Boston to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration. Upon losing the bet, Mr. Weston made the trek accompanied by two men in a carrier, who not only bore witness to his accomplishment, but served to distribute advertising flyers in a gratuitous display of self-promotion. (His contemporary, P. T. Barnum, was undoubtedly a bit jealous—if not envious—of Mr. Weston’s innate public-relations talents!)

In addition to generating newspaper coverage and prompting a congratulatory handshake from the newly inaugurated president, this impressive stunt of perambulation (more commonly referred to as “walking”) set Mr. Weston’s path in life: He realized he could make a career as a pedestrian. Turing professional at age 28 and dubbing himself “Weston the Pedestrian,” he made his professional debut in 1867 by hiking 1,300 miles from Portland, Maine, to Chicago.

Over the years, the trips (and the miles) added up … quickly. (Frequently on his journeys he would give lectures to crowds on the health benefits of walking; he was truly a man ahead of his time!)

A few examples of his “feet feats” will suffice here:

• In 1869 he walked 1,058 miles through snow-covered New England in 30 days
• In 1871, he walked 200 miles—backwards!—around St. Louis, Missouri, in 41 hours
• Starting in the mid-1870s, Mr. Weston spent eight years touring Europe; his victories included beating England’s racewalking champion to a 24-hour, 115-mile trek in 1876, and defeating the British champion “Blower” Brown in a 550-mile match in 1879
• Never one to let aging slow him down, he walked 3,895 miles from New York to San Francisco in 104 days in 1909—at the “young” age of 70

Certainly, there’s a lot to be learned from the fascinating, highly ambitious life of Edward Payson Weston. His passion for walking foreshadowed today’s obsession with physical fitness and staying active. One of his primary concerns, in fact, was that the introduction of automobiles was making everyone lazy and sedentary. In many ways, he was instrumental in motivating people to get up and move.

Speaking of which: Let’s all of us here at Southgate at Shrewsbury retirement community make Mr. Weston proud by taking a stroll around the park. Come on … who’s game?

In Part I of this blog (which you can find here) we discussed how, in many ways, age is just an
attitude. There’s no reason why each and every one of us shouldn’t always strive to do our very best in things both big and small. As is so often said: We can’t know what’s possible until we try!

That’s why, at Southgate at Shrewsbury retirement community, we offer a host of amenities, events and activities that allow residents to explore new possibilities and—in the process— discover new personal capabilities.

Let’s continue now with our look at the amazing accomplishments of noted individuals who simply refused to let advancing years slow them down.

Strikes, Spares and Everything in Between

To roll one perfect game in bowling—that’s 300, by the way—is an accomplishment most players only dream of.

But to roll two?!

That’s exactly what happened on December 7, 2010, when Floridian Arthur Ulmer rolled the second perfect game of his career. His age? A mere 89 years, six months and eleven days. Doing so at that point in his life gave Mr. Ulmer the distinction of attaining the United States Bowling Congress’ record for oldest person to roll a 300 game.

Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, our residents have access to a state-of-the-art four-lane candlepin alley. They find bowling a great way to exercise, socialize and set their own personal records. (And don’t worry: Nobody around here keeps track of gutter balls.)

Calling all 21st-Century Shakespeares

With the “Little House on the Prairie” children’s book series as her writing legacy, you’d not be alone in imaging that Laura Ingalls Wilder was a lifelong author. In fact, however, her first work—“Little House in the Big Woods”—wasn’t published until she was 65. (Her final book in the series came out when she was 76.)

While not everyone has the talent to write professionally, many of us love the magic and wonder of words. That’s why Southgate at Shrewsbury keeps a well-stocked library for all our residents. With an enchanting fireplace, it’s a great hideaway to read some classics … or perhaps to stimulate ideas for writing “the Great American Novel.”

Red Ball, Side Pocket …

If Mike Lebron challenges you to a high-stakes game of billiards, you may just want to pass. That’s because Mr. Lebron is a professional pool player who in 1988—at the age of 54— became the oldest player to win the US Open Nine-Ball Championship.

Likewise, should Doyle Brunson happen to join your card game, you may want to fold. Why? Because Mr. Brunson is an American Poker player who played professionally until his retirement in 2018 at 84 years of age.

Residents work on perfecting their own pool- and card-playing techniques in Southgate at Shrewsbury’s comfortable game room. In addition to a pool and ping-pong table, it’s equipped with ample space for card playing of every variety.

After all, who doesn’t love a rousing game of “Go Fish”?