For years The Garlands has been known as of the premiere senior retirement communities in the country, a place that truly redefined what active senior living could be. And now we're doing it all over again!

Building on the success that The Garlands and its members have enjoyed, our new Phase II construction aims to provide nothing less then the finest senior living community in the country.

I'll be updating this blog with news of our construction progress, so check back here to watch us grow!

Tom Herb

Labels: active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Phase II, senior living facility, senior retirement communities

In February 1967, my sales representative and I flew to Billings, Montana over the Grand Tetons Range of the Rockies. I saw from the window snow cover below outlining bizarre shadows formed by the high mountains. Small villages, motorways and animal tracks proved there was life below.

We finished our business the next day in Riverton, WY and learned that the airlines cancelled all flights and did not know when they would resume. This caused a serious problem for us, because we had a meeting two days later in L.A.

Reluctantly, we rented an automobile to drive over the southwestern Rocky Mountain Pass to Salt Lake City, Utah to catch a flight to Los Angeles. Radio bulletins about weather conditions sounded optimistic, but snow often closed the pass at the last moment, so it was necessary to drive the 150 miles to the entrance of the highway to confirm that it was open.

The mountains, some four to seven thousand feet high, silenced our radio, however a sign flashed that the road was open and cautioned about danger from snow and poor visibility. We bought food and gas and warily entered the route across the Rockies. Warning signs every few miles and the sun setting behind the mountains heightened our apprehension.

The curves on the highway as it climbed toward the summit caused a bewildering mix of light and darkness. Sometimes the sun broke through the mountain opening then quickly hid from view. The wind and snow slowed us to 10 or 15 miles an hour. The sun blocked by the mountains meant only our headlights illuminated the road. We followed it cautiously because snow had narrowed the driving lane and wind gusts rattled the car. From the passenger side, I saw the mountains fall off abruptly into deep abysses adding to my fear. There was no radio reception just static, so we talked quietly to each other watching the snowfall worsen.

Then a huge form appeared on the highway at the end of a long curve. There the biggest snowplow we ever saw, higher than a one-story building, with enourmous headlights, lit up the road, railings and parts of the mountains. Alone on the highway, we got close behind it for light and safety until it led us up throug the Pass.

Happily, on the western side the sun was shining. The view of Salt Lake City, nestled far down in a lush valley, made it easy to understand why the founders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chose this location for their home.

Our perilous journey across the Rockies ended safely, and we got to the meeing on time.

Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago independent living, chicago retirement community, chicago senior living, Jack and Rita, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement community

June 6, 2011, is the 67th anniversary of D-Day. Here is a memoir about September of that year.

German Gun Emplacement
In full uniform, I walked alone, in the hills bordering Cherbourg, France on the harbor side, and found wild vines growing along the roadside. To my delight they were red grape vines. I picked two bunches and ate them slowly. Delicious! Engrossed with the grapes, I walked aimlessly towards the sea again oblivious to the dangers of leftover anti-personnel mines. My contentment was high when I saw a huge fort-like structure which I approached carefully.

It was a re-enforced concrete German defense carved into the side of a high coastal hillside. Two menacing gun barrels pointed out toward the Atlantic. The closer I approached the more debris and destruction I saw. I entered the rear of this enormous structure from the land side. There on the ground were long foot-wide tracks used to transport heavy shells on dollies to the guns now useless. Spent shell casings lay about the area showing the size of the projectiles used. Our captain said that the two coastal guns were six or eight inches in diameter with a range in excess of 6 miles. Several weeks ago, they fired at our ships in the English Channel beyond the harbor entrance.

The small and confining firing room interior for the guns was claustrophobic. How could men live and work in such a closed place? Weapons were first priority--not soldiers. The view from the inside towards the channel and sea was clear and panoramic, even though the sight line was through narrow horizontal slits in the thick concrete. The openings were minimized to prevent incoming shells and small arms fire from entering.

I left sadly thinking that the sound of the wind from the sea, eerily pushing through the slits, seemed to be moaning the recent death and destruction on this devastated hillside.

John Patrick Roche (Jack)
The Garlands of Barrington
May 9, 2011

Labels: chicago senior living, Jack and Rita, senior retirement communities, the garlands upscale retirement community, upscale retirement community, upscale retirement home

There is a story to be told in my retirement community. It is a story of love. It isn't puppy love, young love or the many-splendored love of years past. It is lasting love: love over time. Not sexual, but simply love of each other as partners.

Care is love. Care of what was, what is and what will come. We walk slower now, can't see as before, and hold hands for warmth and support.

Aging is not uniform or equal. Time takes from each at its will and whim. We pray first for the other partner to stay well then our self.

Our bodies slow differently: Alzheimer's disease steals bit by bit the light of knowledge. Nerve systems weaken and short-circuit. Arteries clog. One partner becomes the light, another helps recognition.

The story is the caregiver. Care given daily, constantly, wearily shows lasting love. "Until death do us part" is recalled while time flows onward. Love becomes duty; honorable, enduring and necessary.

How does one tell the story of lasting love? I tell it by admiring the spouse pushing a wheelchair providing mobility and togetherness, by applauding those who read to the other with dimming sight, and by praising those who explain, interpret and encourage loved ones unable to remember their world.

Any lapses in the past are forgotten with today's love; a lasting love.

Labels: active retirement community, Chicago independent living, Jack and Rita, senior living facility, senior retirement communities, the garlands

Garlands members enjoy a tour of enchanting Lake Geneva.


Dolores Gray, Delores Lobraico and Betty Catlin enjoy the view from the "Belle."


After a delicious lunch, Lois Haselwood, Florence Wysocki and Cookie Cook listen to the Captain's narration aboard the "Belle."


Members board the bus after a beautiful day.

Labels: chicago retirement community, Fitness and Activities, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

Houses are selling, at a faster rate than any time in the previous 8 years, according to a new report from the Commerce Department, which tracks an 11% rise in home sales through June 2009. Spurred on by bargain prices, great selections, and unprecedented tax incentives, economists are saying that the real estate market may be turning around.

Have you been waiting for a better market to sell your home in anticipation of moving to The Garlands? Well now may be the time. Be sure to take a close look at your local market, but in the meantime, check out this Daily Herald/ Associated Press article about June's housing rally.

Labels: chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, senior living, senior retirement communities

If you've been following our better balance report since it started in January, here's a review of what we've learned:

• Your sense of balance needs to be used often to stay in good shape.
• When you were younger, your daily activities exercised your sense of balance and kept it in good condition.
• As you get older, and your activity level decreases, your sense of balance gets less stimulation, causing the quality of your balance to deteriorate.
• Strong legs can help prevent falls and improve quality of life.
• There are many simple changes you can make to your home to decrease your chance of falling there.
• The combination of doing balance exercises, increasing leg strength, and reducing tripping hazards gives you the best chance of avoiding falls, maintaining independence and enjoying a high quality of life.

~Mike Ross, author of "The Balance Manual,"

www.balance-exercises.com

Labels: better balance report, Chicago assisted living, Chicago independent living, Fitness and Activities, senior retirement communities, upscale senior living

The Garlands' dining program works like a charm primarily because of its several restaurant options and flexible seating arrangements. Members have great independence to choose when, where and with whom to dine.

The fact is that it is more than an eating plan; it's a "social plus" for the whole community. Most members belong to the plan. The $300 a month for food and drinks is included in the monthly service fee, making it a simple plan that creates great social interaction among the members.

Members call each other to share mealtime together. There is no "picking up the tab" when you invite someone to eat with you--they have their own dining dollars. Members make reservations, when they want to, for a table of two through eight, based on their grouping for the evening. No need for reservations but many choose to do so. The most frequented are the Grill and Winslow restaurants while the Roycroft is our gourmet, special event venue. The Café shop has coffee and tea available during the day and occasional light dinners.

Each member has someone in their household arrange and keep track of dining commitments--a social director. Happy Hours at the Timbers Lounge for the Grill on Mondays and at the Robie Lounge for the Winslow on Wednesdays spur the camaraderie among members before dinner.

We gather, on occasion, at a host's apartment for cocktails, hors-d'oeuvres and great conversation before, and sometimes after dinner. The dining program and happy hours encourage mingling and getting to know each other better.

A fun time is at the end of the month when those who have not spent the entitlement try to cover the minimum. Many buy extra meals for their freezer to eat later. Most of the fun happens when neighbors decide to reach their mark by buying bottles of wine, often happily shared, to help top-off the unspent balance. Our upscale retirement community has a lot going for it, especially the dining program.

Jack Roche

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, chicago senior living, Jack and Rita, senior living, senior retirement communities

Not rain, snow, excessively cold temperatures or even a tightened economy has impacted the progression of the Garlands new Phase II residences. In fact, as of this spring, the shell of the building that will hold these 85 new homes is 80% complete, with the framing of the roof trusses and asphalt shingling soon to follow. Next up: the brick masonry, a signature architectural feature of The Garlands upscale retirement community, will commence throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, the interior designers are working their magic as they weave a careful blend of texture, color and fine finishes to create the casually elegant ambiance our residents and guests love.

Building upon the success of The Garlands initial phase of development, Phase II sets yet a new standard for retirement communities nationwide.
There is no doubt that today's retiree wants . . .

-Bigger residences
-Open floor plans
-Plenty of storage
-And the highest quality

The Garlands offers all this and more. Start planning for your future today. A refundable deposit lets you secure The Garlands Phase II home of your choice while you plan for your move in late 2010.

Call 847-304-1996 to schedule an appointment to review floor plans and pricing options.

Labels: active senior living, Chicago estate planning, Phase II, senior living, senior retirement communities, the garlands

Well, they've done it again. The Garlands Walking Club, which has already walked to Wisconsin and then Paris, has since accumulated enough exercise miles to virtually walk all the way to Las Vegas.

Take a look at how these walkers and our active retirement community unwinds after a job well done! Obviously a casino party to celebrate their success was in order!

Everyone had a great time--and, remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Ray Mietz throws the dice during a game of craps with Bill Youngberg as "the dealer."

Wellness Nurse, Paula Irving deals cards for a game of Blackjack.

Fitness Trainer, Sandra Sieber spins the Roulette wheel at the Casino party in the Cafe.

Labels: active senior living, garlands blogger, retirement community, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement home

Easter is a special time for many families the world over, and it's no different for our family here at the Garlands, where celebrations are a big part of active senior living community.

Easter brunch with all the trimmings, including visits with the bunny and an egg hunt in the courtyard, is a time-honored Garlands tradition.


Carl Peterson and Cookie Cooke pose with the Easter bunny before enjoying the Easter brunch.


Marlene Rolecek and grandchildren get ready to hunt for eggs with the Easter bunny.

Labels: active retirement community, chicago senior living, easter, garlands blogger, senior retirement communities, the garlands, upscale senior living

The Card Players by Paul Cezanne

The Card Players

Thursday afternoons: two o'clock--sacred time for the men at this active retirement community. Usually, fourteen gather before two o'clock to draw for a seat at the different tables. The men chat; little gossip, lots of sports, hints of politics but many "Ifs"--if I'd only caught a club, if I'd held onto my ace, if I'd stayed-in--I'd a won. Maybe! Marvelously, poker focuses on improving short term memory. After every hand, we test each other by asking, who dealt? Six or seven at the table think about it. Eventually a player recalls, and the game goes on. Constant memory exercise.

Good card games have great characters playing. Let's mention some of them: Organizer is first to set up poker-chips for each player. $10 required to play and another $5 in case of a bad-luck day. Lose $15 and you're out. This happens. Chips: blue 50¢, red 25¢ and white 10¢. Small money, lots of fun. Creator's long chamber list of crazy 'Dealers Choice' games maintains our interest. Some players get in a rut dealing the same game over and over again, seldom playing other great games, especially from Creator's list

Avocateur thinks winning is just the luck-of-the-draw and talent is baloney. Studying the case proves talent wins over time. Impatient signals a good hand by asking others to bet quickly--he's never that attentive with a weak hand. Analyzer fingers his cards tenderly, peeks at them repeatedly, verifying their strength before betting and then cajoles all to play properly.

Betting patterns tell stories about players' hands. Dropper quits game after game waiting for good cards. When Dropper, raises or bets--look-out--he's loaded and will take your money. Cautious, on the other hand, is always figuring the odds of winning, like trying for a bridge grand slam. Cautious drops out of some games with a winning hand--his losses are treasured by all.

The subtleties of poker are often spoiled by players dropping out-of-turn because of a poor hand. Bluffer tries now and then to win by bluffing, but is foiled when Impatient throws his hand down, out-of-turn, forcing the weak player before him to call Bluffer just to keep him honest.

Avocateur now respects evidence showing there is more to winning at poker than luck alone. There are regrets that other remarkable players like North Star, (a natural card counter), Accountant, (alertly tracks bets and antes) and Seven (lucky number fan) sat at the second table. Names have been changed to protect the Bluffer. Sharing this active senior life is a special joy for all. Come join us Thursdays.

Jack Roche

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, chicago retirement community, Jack and Rita, senior retirement communities, upscale senior living

One of our members recalls walking slowly out of the Louvre in Paris in 1973 promising that someday she would learn to paint. Years and many museums later it is still an unfilled promise.

Fast forward to 2006, she relocated to the active senior living facility, The Garlands of Barrington. There, to her joy, the activities department arranged a painting class, in water colors, for beginners. Visions of past self-promises challenged her--she joined the class at once.

Our member's first attempt to create and paint a mushroom was a disaster, in her mind, but others liked it. Now, her family has to decide who gets the mushroom. Her next painting, a pink orchid, was beautiful, and fortunately, the class continued--she kept painting.

The Garlands encouraged an exhibition of the students' art in our gallery outside the Performing Arts Center. Three walls of paintings, from present and prior member painters, hung there. The artists attended, answering questions to other members and guests, while all enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres. Some paintings were sold that evening, and our newest artist felt honored when an admirer of her work offered to buy one of her paintings. She declined to sell until her family selects their favorites. Our burgeoning artist is proud for keeping her long-ago promise

The Garlands currently has an oil painting class and next month will offer a drawing class--great chances for those who have "Promises to Keep."

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, chicago senior living, Jack and Rita, senior living facility, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement community

"The Wii Bowling Tournament" created a murmur of excitement as the many contestants and fans followed the signage to the game area. Wii is a game played electronically on TV sets. The Garlands chose the two large sixty inch TVs in the Grill and Timbers Lounge for the competition.

The mixed bowling contest between three senior retirement communities in the area, Sedgebrook, Lincolnshire and The Garlands included about eighteen players, eleven women. Community names identified both teams colorfully attired in long hip-length sports shirts which made for an impressive group.

"Virtual Bowling" truly lives up to its name. A player holds a remote control in hand, securely attached by wrist-strap. On the TV a complete bowling lane is shown with ten king-pins set up. The player first adjusts a guiding line on the alley remotely to direct his aim. She or he then holds down a trigger allowing them to swing the control at the TV. (Wrist-strap prevents the control from escaping to damage the TV) The control electronically releases a ball at the virtual pins. The TV, in brilliant color, shows accurately the path of the ball and records the hit with real sounds and actual pictures of pins falling in all directions.

Both teams, dominated by women, are dedicated and talented. This day, the Sedgebrook players showed a superior ability. The four person Sedgebrook team that I watched all bowled over 200 with a high of 245, truly remarkable scores. I noticed that our team was closing in on that level. Our congratulations go out to the Sedgebrook bowlers.

Wii bowling is almost real: the sounds of pins flying, the curving of the ball down the alley, the long view of pins, the replay close-up view of fallen pins and automatic scoring make it enjoyable to play and watch. It is easy for everyone to play--in fact, one of our most spirited woman players bowled from a wheel-chair.

Jack Roche

Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago independent living, Jack and Rita, senior living facility, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement home

A new challenge, from the Lutheran Community, Arlington Heights, to compete playing eight-ball pocket billiards, home and away, was accepted. The new challenge reminded us of their first challenge a year ago. The Garlands had no team when the challenge arrived, but we accepted it at once. Our Director of Activities, Jill Lund, talked up the challenge and convinced eight of our braver men to volunteer for the battle. They practiced on occasion, but not seriously--maybe they were concentrating more on the bus ride and free lunch.

Excitement and optimism was high as the Garlands bus stopped at Lutheran Community. That's when our optimism was shaken because a dozen men greeted us, each wearing a green polo shirt with their team name printed on the front, and most of them carried their own private cue-stick in a dark leather case. These men were like professional billiard players not simple retirees. We lost five games to three there but then they came to the Garlands and destroyed us seven games to one. Later, the code expression W.C. (Who Cares) eased the temporary embarrassment of our team.

History has a way of repeating itself. This year we tried again and proudly went off to battle the Lutherans wearing our new colorful blue monogrammed game-shirts loaned to each Garlands player for the billiard tournament by our activities group. I couldn't tell whether our new flashy shirts impressed our opposition but I can tell you that their private cue sticks still bothered us because they looked so professional. They won at their home again, five games to three--we almost tied four games to four but scratched sinking the eight ball, an automatic loss.

Our active retirement community still doesn’t have an official team, but many of us actually practiced for the return match. Spirited and optimistic, our men could hardly wait for lunch to finish, in order to beat our friendly adversaries. We played 16 games, alas, they won 12 games to four. It was interesting to note that one of our two-man teams won three out of four games and that team practiced regularly. That must be the key--practice. Our billiard team has adopted the Chicago well-known sports lament--Wait 'till next year.

Labels: active retirement communities, active retirement community, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Jack and Rita, senior retirement communities

Rita and I walked rapidly to the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the Garlands carrying our scripts of the three-acts play, The Man Who Came to Dinner, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart in the late 1930s. Garlands member George Flint, a retired surgeon and former owner and director of the Renaissance Theater in San Diego, CA. invited all members to try out for a part in his new play reading.

George aided by his wife, Vally, is the successful team now directing their third play reading for the Garlands. The members in the PAC, when we arrived, talked excitedly about the various characters in this lively comedy--each wondering which part they would get. Viewing the original movie a week earlier helped all to understand the play.

The full room now included members just watching how casting is done professionally. The talents and limitations of many members are well known to George because of prior performances; still all aspirants are welcomed equally. George, starting with the major roles, invites various members to read selected parts and then he encourages others, not selected, to try for any part--and many do.

The readings create much local humor and laughing caused by mistakes: mispronunciation, missing cues, reading someone else's lines... and more. It is great fun and camaraderie. George is very patient and understanding, but does stay on target guiding us to make real the script. After a day of guessing who gets which part, George will announce the chosen cast and rehearsals will begin.

The biased audience of members, relatives and town people will have an exciting time "Opening Night." Stay tuned for unbiased observations! :=)

Jack Roche

Labels: active retirement communities, active retirement community, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Jack and Rita, senior retirement communities

A slow housing market continues to dominate news headlines. But here at The Garlands we're seeing a different picture than what the real estate news commonly reports.

Regionally, home sales are significantly better than national reports. Plus, the 55+ market is less stagnant than other demographics. Perhaps it is because this generation has realized so much appreciation in their homes over the years. As such, residents are choosing The Garlands at a pace that is greater than last year.

Another reason for this phenomenon is that we make it so easy. We offer several relocation resources--from help selling an existing home to assistance with packing--our expert Residency Counselors have the experience and the programs to help ensure a smooth move.

There has been strong interest in the Phase II Founders Club. The Founders Club offers our members a unique opportunity to take advantage of pre-construction discounts on Phase II units. Founders Club Members also enjoy the benefit of Membership at The Garlands as well as the ability to personalize their new home. Call today to speak with a residency counselor to secure your place in this landmark new addition to our upscale retirement community. Start planning for your future today--the timing couldn't be better!

Labels: active retirement communities, chicago senior living, Phase II, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement community

The trek may be virtual, but the benefits are real.

A group of Garlands members are on a their way to Paris (more than 4,140 miles away from Barrington) by walking, swimming, biking, even climbing! About 40 men and women--all senior citizens--are participating, counting the miles logged while exercising against their goal. They're currently just over half-way. Members report that having a goal makes exercise easier and more fun.

Au revoir! See you in Paris!

Labels: active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Fitness and Activities, senior living facility, senior retirement communities

We have every reason to believe we can meet our first milestone of having the first third of the building under roof by the end of the year. The process involves:

• Finishing the support columns in the basement
• Pouring the slab on grade in the basement
• Framing the eastern third of the building by floors 1-4
• Setting the roof truss system
• Placing the roof to "dry in" the areas beneath so that the following trades of mechanical, electric and pluming can start their work

This new Phase II project is going to change the way you think about active senior living, check back often for more updates!

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Phase II, senior retirement communities