After 28 months of construction from excavation to completion, The Garlands Phase II—all 380,000 square feet--majestically fills the property at 3000 Garlands Lane and enhances The Garlands campus and landscape.

The Village of Barrington issued the final Certificate of Occupancy, and new residents are now moving and settling into their new award-winning lifestyle—one that will help them keep independent, active and engaged throughout their golden years. The added incentive of a service-rich and engaging lifestyle seems to attract people to make a move to this senior housing option regardless of overall real estate trends.

To further entice would-be residents, we are offering some financial incentives to help off-set home sale prices and also providing support with the staging of an existing home for faster sale and even moving assistance to the new Phase II. But without a doubt, the biggest incentive of all is The Garlands community itself.

Each Phase II private residence boasts 9 to 16 foot ceilings, gracious crown moldings and millwork throughout, floor-to-ceiling windows, a master bedroom suite and full gourmet kitchen with granite countertops. Plus, residents enjoy the high-quality, signature services that have become synonymous with The Garlands unique lifestyle.

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

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

Dear friends: My memoirs are nearly finished. I'd like to share with you this childhood memory from the early thirties.

One afternoon in South Boston, MA, during 1933, when eight years old, I rushed home in panic, screaming and trembling. I couldn't speak to answer my mother's questions and sobbed and sobbed from terrible fright. Slowly, I told mom how I went to the abandoned house across the street, on the East Ninth Street side, and climbed the porch stairs to peek inside through a broken glass panel.

Between sobs, I described the interior hall covered with eerie looking cobwebs, the stairway leading upstairs, the closed door to the right and the corridor that ran on the left into the darkness. The long electric cord hanging from the ceiling ended at an empty socket with no shade. Just inside the open window, there was a weight of lead about eight inches long, attached to a rope. Other houses had them, so I knew they helped close the door after opening. The weight swung from its pulley. Easy to reach, I pushed it out from the wall letting it fall back with a noisy crash. While watching the interior, I pushed the weight repeatedly increasing the deafening sound. Suddenly, four unsteady, wrinkled fingers appeared at the bottom of the closed door slowly pushing it open. A bearded man lying on the floor stared at me with scary eyes.

Shivering, I again screamed loudly "I saw a ghost." I couldn't be calmed. Mom and dad hugged me saying "Jacky that was a homeless man sleeping in the deserted house, there are no ghosts."

My panic and fright lessened, but I avoided that side of the street and the abandoned house for weeks just in case mom and dad were wrong.

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

It's normal to forget things from time to time, and it's normal to become somewhat more forgetful as you age, but it's not normal to forget too much. But how much forgetfullness is too much? How can you tell wether your memory lapses are within the scope of normal aging or are a symptom of something more serious?

Healthy people can experience memory loss or memory distortion at any age. Some of these memory flaws become more pronounced with age, but--unless they are extreme and persistent--they are not considered indicators of Alzheimer's or other memory-impairing illnesses.

Seven Normal Memory Problems

1. Transience

This is the tendency to forget facts or events over time. You are most likely to forget information soon after you learn it. However, memory has a use-it-or-lose-it quality: memories that are called up and used frequently are least likely to be forgotten. Although transience might seem like a sign of memory weakness, brain scientists regard it as beneficial because it clears the brain of unused memories, making way for newer, more useful ones.

2. Absentmindedness

This type of forgetting occurs when you don't pay close enough attention. You forget where you just put your pen because you didn't focus on where you put it in the first place. You were thinking of something else (or, perhaps, nothing in particular), so your brain didn't encode the information securely. Absentmindedness also involves forgetting to do something at a prescribed time, like taking your medicine or keeping an appointment.

3. Blocking

Someone asks you a question and the answer is right on the tip of your tounge--you know that you know it, but you just can't think of it. this is perhaps the most familiar examble of blocking, the temporary inability to retrieve a memory. In many cases, the barrier is a memory similar to the one you're looking for, and you retrieve the wrong one. This competing memory is so intrusive that you can't think of the memory you want. A common example is calling your older son by your younger son's name or vice versa.

Scientists think that memory blocks become more common with age and that they account for the trouble older people have remembering other people's names. Research shows that people are able to retrieve about half of the blocked memories within just a minute.

4. Misattribution

Misattribution occurs when you remember something accurately in part, but misattribute some detail, like the time, place or person involved. Another kind of misattribution occurs when you believe a thought you had was totally original when, in fact, it came from something you had previously read or heard but had forgotten about. This sort of misattribution explains cases of unintentional plagiarism, in which a writer passes off some information as original when he or she actually read it somewhere before.

As with several other kinds of memory lapses, misattribution becomes more common with age. Age matters in at least two ways. First, as you age, you absorb fewer details when acquiring information because you have somewhat more trouble concentrating and processing information rapidly. Second, as you grow older, your memories grow older as well. And old memories are especially prone to misattribution.

5. Suggestibility

Suggestibility is the vulnerability of your memory to the power of suggestion--information that you learn about an occurrence after the fact becomes incorporated into your memory of the incident, even though you did not experience these details. Although little is known about exactly how suggestibility works in the brain, the suggestion fools your mind into thinking it's a real memory.

6. Bias

Even the sharpest memory isn't a flawless snapshot of reality. In your memory, your perceptions are filtered by your personal biases--experiences, beliefs, prior knowledge, and even your mood at the moment. Your biases affect your perceptions and experiences when they're being encoded in your brain. And when you retrieve a memory, your mood and other biases at that moment can influence what information you actually recall.

Although everyone's attitudes and preconceived notions bias their memories, there's been virtually no research on the brain mechanisms behind memory bias or whether it becomes more common with age.

7. Persistence

Most people worry about forgetting things. But in some cases people are tormented by memories they wish they could forget, but can't. The persistence of memories of traumatic events, negative feelings, and ongoing fears is another form of memory problem. Some of these memories accurately reflect horrifying events, while others may be negative distortions of reality.

People suffering from depression are particularly prone to having persistent, disturbing memories. So are people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can result from many different forms of traumatic exposure--for example, sexual abuse or wartime experiences. Flashbacks, which are persistent, intrusive memories of the traumatic event, are a core feature of PTSD.

Submitted by Sandra Siebert, The Garlands Fitness Coordinator

Labels: Fitness and Activities, memory, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

"Alice and Kent just called from Wellesley, Massachusetts inviting us to spend three nights with them at their summer cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire in July. I accepted for us," Rita said.

"Great! That makes over thirty years that they have invited us. We missed only once; the year I had a collapsed lumbar vertebra," I replied.

"Better make plane reservations soon. July vacation air traffic could be heavy," she added.

"Let's extend our trip to visit my relatives in Middleton, Rhode Island, Weymouth, Massachusettes and Chatham on Cape Cod. You know at my age I want to take every chance to visit my siblings and sister-in-law. One never knows," I mused.

"I've always wanted to visit Bar Harbor, Maine, let's add it to our trip. I'll go online to check the deals. I favor the Bar Harbor Inn because it has a wonderful reputation and great location on the water. I'll do it tonight," Rita promised.

She reserved the Inn for three nights in July, so the next day I used American Express points to purchase coach tickets from Chicago's O'Hare to Providence, Rhode Island. American Express advised us to contact rental care companies directly at Providence. I selected Hertz because they advertised having a location in the airport, not off-site.

We asked for a standard four-door car for 13 days. Hertz quoted $1,076.90. A few days later American Express sent me an email discount coupon reducing our cost to $804.21. The price sounded good to me.

"Jack did you shop around with other car rental companies?" Rita asked.

"No," I said. "They're all the same and Hertz is located at the airport, not off-site."

We arrived at the Providence airport an hour late and went directly to the Hertz counter where we found a long line leading to two clerks. On clerk suddenly left the counter adding to the wait time. Late for lunch with my brother, Rita urged me to try Avis because their rental counter moved faster.

I said the lady at Avis, "I want to rent a four-door car for 13 days, but the price has to be as good as Hertz. " She didn't answer, but took my credit card and driver's license.

Soon Rita and I got a new Chevrolet Impala, right there on-site, with low mileage and in mint condition. The price for 13 days was $579.04, about 45 percent less than the original quote.

Rita was diplomatic, but reinforced her belief. "Jack it pays to shop around."

Labels: active retirement communities, Jack and Rita, upscale retirement community

The Garlands second phase of development--featuring 85 top quality and larger-than-ever residences--is nearing completion

In this final phase of development, landscape architects work their magic to create the multi-hued vistas that residents and guests so love about The Garlands campus. Inside, finishing touches on the individual residences progress at a steady pace, culminating in a white glove punch list review to ensure that The Garlands highest standards are met for our newest members come this November.

Phase II Nears Completion
As the new building nears completion, the public is invited to visit and tour this magnificent work in progress. RSVP to attend an upcoming hardhat tour or schedule a private appointment today. Call 847-304-1996.

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

Bill Cox feels right at home working the equipment in The Garlands' Woodshop on the garage level near the Wright elevator. In fact, he used the workshop for years at Clearbrook in Arlington Heights, an organization caring for people with developmental disabilities. Teaching woodworking to them was very satisfying. Clearbrook phased out the woodworking classes and offered Bill, at no charge, all the shop equipment. Bill alerted The Garlands, who quickly accepted it for our active retirement community.

Equipment and parts later donated by Bill Youngberg, Bucky Ellis and others help maintain the shop's high quality. Members build professional pieces here. Recently, Sam Jeffers finished a beautiful folding screen for his apartment. The photo does not reveal all its beauty. The screen is seven feet high, has three vertical two-and-a-half foot wide hinged panels; each having three padded sections covered in elegant fabric and framed by rosewood stained maple.

Bill Youngberg designed and made a solid oak bookshelf to fit a special space in his daughter's home. Many appreciated his banana hangers and various footrests built for The Garlands and Prairieview. Bucky contructed sliding shelves for his apartment's kitchen cabinets. Others sharpen knives, fix chairs, tighten nuts and bolts and more. Bill Cox still advises all who need help.

Scott Weimer, assistant Plant Director and his staff use it for maintenance. Members are encouraged to use it and do--mostly men but women are welcome. Member service will open the shop for any members, just dial *02.

Labels: active senior living, Jack an Rita, the garlands, upscale retirement community, upscale retirement home, upscale retirement living, woodworking

Join The Garlands Phase II Founders Club and enjoy the following benefits:

- 10% pre-opening savings
- An average $96K savings over opening day
- Discount more than compensates for most lowered home values
- Best locations/views
- Best selection

Plus take advantage of The Garlands complimentary "All the Right Moves" home staging and relocation services. Then relax and dream of living your best life at The Garlands.

To learn more about becoming a Founders Club member, call 847-304-1996.

Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago assisted living, Chicago independent living, chicago retirement community, Midwest retirement home, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

Our daughter Jennifer said to our grandchildren, nine and five, "Buckle up Zachary and Natalie. We're going to Langendorf Park for a picnic and then for a swim in their great pool."

Natalie, using her best fake cry, sobbed,"I want to swim in The Garlands pool. I like it."

Grandma Rita says, “Our pool is closed for repair. You'll like the Park pool, believe me."

"Ready to launch," shouts Zachary. "All seat belts attached."

Ten minutes later, we parked at the Langendorf. The children ran off to the slides and climbing bars while we prepared a summer picnic: hot dogs, bratwurst, soft drinks and desserts. After lunch, the walking trail helped us work off some of the food.

Langendorf has a wading pool and the main pool. The slides and high jumps excited the grandchildren. Zachary and others made several dozen leaps and slides from the highest points. Natalie, not to be out done, climbed nearly to the top. Sun and activity tired us, ending a wonderful day.

Next day, after church on Sunday, we drove north thirty miles to Volo to see the unusual quaking bogs and then on to the Volo Auto Museum. The children found the bogs a fun playground, although not as exciting as the auto museum. Hundreds of old cars, refurbished like new, sat bumper to bumper for easy inspection. Grandpa saw a 1957 Chevrolet Impala just like the one he had owned. Good for Grandpa, but the grandchildren loved the cars from movies like the Scooby Mobile, Nightrider's Kitt, Flintstones car, Batmobile, etc.

Again, the hours evaporated. We must head home. No time to visit our favorite restaurant Le Vichyssois in Lakemoor suggested by Vette Kell or to the Moraine Hills State Park, site of a glacial moraine in McHenry County that Hal Guenther praises. We will have to wait another day to make these short trips with our family.

Later in the week, Rita said to me, "What a great weekend we had with the grandchildren, now, I've set up a double-treat for us."

"Double-treat, what can that be?"

She responds, "Two visits on Wednesday: the Chicago Botanical Gardens and the show at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire."

"Oh, that's too much in one day."

"No. It's easy. We drive East on Lake-Cook Road twenty miles to the gardens, have late lunch, see the exhibits and when ready drive fifteen minutes to the theater for a performance at Marriott's Theater-in-the-Round. It worked out just as she planned a great introduction to Chicago's famous gardens and the Marriott's renowned theater.

Musing a bit about our Senior Living Community and its great location, I remembered that the following Sunday The Garlands courtesy limousine would drive us to the Barrington railroad station to take a train to Chicago for the Sunday matinee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an hour ride at no charge for seniors.

Location is a real asset to us here at the Garlands!

See Jack, Rita and the Kids below at the Volo Auto Museum.

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

Phase II of The Garlands is making great strides; our latest progress being in Building D, the superstructure of which was completed on schedule in August 2009. And a model unit--showcasing the luxurious living offered by our new residences--is finished and ready for visitors. We hope you can stop by and take a look!

Other progress you'll notice on your visit:

Roof trusses for this project are quite complicated and have been described by many as a most challenging geometric design. But the challenge has been met and these trusses are nearly complete at the west end of the building with the final roofing scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving.

With the completion of the roof trusses, the huge crane seen looming over our site has recently been dismantled and removed as its work is done.

The installation of the trusses and roofing enables the work on the exterior walls to progress. The exterior masonry is now 85% complete with the anticipated completion of all exterior wall masonry is mid November.

The Garlands goes green:

Insulation board is being installed behind the masonry, and when combined with the fiberglass insulation within the walls, we'll get exceptional energy efficiency in the residential units. In addition, the exterior Tyvek wrap system has been designed and installed per DuPont's standards to include special fasteners and flashing around the windows, all done to provide excellent protection against water intrusion through the exterior wall. All told, these will be extremely well made and efficient residences, which are easy on the heating/ cooling bills, as well as friendly to mother nature.

The east half of the building is already weather-tight, allowing the interior to be finished. The mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plumbing tradesmen have already completed their rough-in work in the east half of the building. In this location, drywall is being installed as well as ceramic tile, wood doors, millwork, cabinets, painting and appliances.

The residential units at the east end of the building will start to approach completion by this year's end. This completion sequence will march west through the building throughout the winter months.

At ground level, the building will begin to take it's final form during late Summer of 2010 when driveways will be paved, landscaping installed and construction trailers removed.

The current schedule targets building completion by October 2010--less than one year away!

Labels: Chicago assisted living, Midwest retirement home, Phase II, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

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

You just won't believe it, because I don't. After sniffing out the entire neighborhood, just maybe I have found a new companion. I can even "humm..." in the rain when told to go outside. Why? Well, I'll put my paw to a pen and tell you all about my good luck!

After my last letter, I received an unbelievable fantastic response. The writer, a poodle named Antoinette, "just call me Toni," enclosed her picture. She looks yummy enough to chew on, and I dream about slobbering her with more kisses than one can count. Actually, her beauty defies description, and I'll even venture to guess that her groomer comes from France!

Not only did she offer T.L.C. for my painful paw, but she is eager for a play date with just the two of us. She even told me that her old boyfriend is past history. How lucky can a guy get?

Her letter has a special hiding place right under my bed, close to my thumping heart. Do you suppose that they have a pacemaker for dogs? Forget e-mail, Twitter, even Facebook. A letter means so much more for you can keep it forever. And this piece of paper will never be chewed up!

There is one problem, however, that I want to share with you. When and if we meet nose-to-nose, will she accept my funny face? To be honest, I lack those pedigree papers that say that your parents came from special families. Mine, however, so I've been told, were so much in love that it didn't matter, even though my Dad was a Shih Tzu and Mom, a Bichon. I guess you might say their blood lines were "black and white" while Toni is as blue as blue can be.

No doubt, Toni's caregiver, C. Peterson, who owns a greeting card company, sent her to a fancy boarding school, while I had only two hours with the "Dog Man" in Arizona, and he didn't teach me anything (so I've been told). In other words, we come from two different worlds. Do you suppose that matters?

And now I am planning our first meeting on the bridge overlooking our garden pond. Let's hope the bleeping bull frog and honking geese won't scare her away. Wish me luck!

Now, please forgive my abrupt departure for breakfast is ready. And guess what I've barked for: a new tasty passion...French toast. Bow wow!

Labels: active retirement communities, active retirement community, Chicago assisted living, pd the dog, upscale retirement community

Hans and Istvan, The Garlands Gourmets.

"Gourmet food at a retirement community? You gotta be kiddin'!" said my wife, Rita.

"No. I'm not!" I replied. "Istvan Abdai, Director of Food and Beverage, and Hans Ladwein, Executive Chef, have joined culinary forces to create a gourmet night at the Roycroft, our upscale restaurant."

And so off we went . . .

Hans has a reassuring German accent that lends authority to his role as master chef. Istvan prides himself on having studied and mastered the subtle art of matching wine to cuisine, and he describes it in a distinctive Dutch tone, adding to the mystery of the wine.

The Chef's Table was where twenty gathered at the Roycroft about five thirty to begin a gourmet treat. Standing, the members mingled enjoying white and red wines, hors d'oeuvres and excited conversation--an appropriate beginning to the long-awaited evening.

A grand u-shape of tables with white table cloths, scattered flowers, assorted wine glasses and fancy silver cutlery set the mood for "Gourmet." The open end of the u directed us to Hans and Istvan who carefully and knowledgeably prepared us for the meal.

Hans and Istvan detailed the excellence to come: Chilled Swiss Cucumber Soup with a white Riesling Kabinett 2006 from Hirschbach und Sohne— introduced the high level of dining. Then a medley of spring greens, tossed tableside with cider vinegar, olive oil, honey poupon and walnuts. All nursed with a Camelot Chardonnay 2007. Pan-seared Diver scallops (hand picked deep in the ocean) placed over black cappelini in truffle oil and lemon-basil beurre blanc (a rich hot butter sauce with a white wine reduction) announced Hans' five-star ability. Istvan's kept this great food tied-in to the Camelot Chardonnay 2007.

We stopped for an amuse-bouche: a Blood Orange Sorbet, to refresh our
palettes before the main course.

The Marsala glazed lollipop veal chop was set on braised baby leaks. Roasted mushroom potatoes, tomato Florentine and shitake caps blended well with the veal as did the Estancia Central Coast Merlot 2007.

Great restaurants in our "Upscale Senior Living" retirement community demand a great finish to a great meal. Hans hit it on the nose with Cappuccino mousse and chocolate ganache on pomegranate coulis with chocolate and berry garnish.

As we left fully satisfied, I asked, "Are you a convert to exquisite dining here at the Roycroft?"

"I've been converted!" Rita replied, "Can't wait until Hans and Istvan have another 'Gourmet Delight."

Labels: Chicago assisted living, Jack and Rita, Midwest retirement home, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

Garlands member Mary Barnes studied with Barnet Rubenstein at the School of Museum of Fine Arts as well as Fred Berger from the Evanston Art Center. Mary attended Bowling Green University in Ohio and the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition, Mary has won numerous awards and honors for her work and has exhibited her work in many museums across the country. An accomplished painter, Mary is generously teaching other members in the art of still life painting.
We're proud to have such a talent artist among us, and excited to see what other budding painters she might unveil with her class!

Labels: active retirement communities, Chicago assisted living, Fitness and Activities, upscale retirement community

By Jon Meacham

With her dramatization of Jon Meacham's widely acclaimed biography of Andrew Jackson, Barbara Rinella presents another astounding portrait of a great American, though our seventh President was a man of contradictions who certainly had his critics!

From very humble log cabin beginnings, a boy whose father died weeks before he was born and who would become an orphan by 14, Andrew Jackson rose to become the first common man to be elected President of the United States. He is said to have defined the modern presidency. What were the hardships that created this tough and fierce backwoodsman who truly earned the nickname, "Old Hickory?" Recognizing that life is never easy, Jackson stated simply, "I was born for a storm." How was his vision for the country formed by battles, disappointments, hardships, losses and victories?

What needs would engulf a person who hungered for family? Will his beautiful wife, Rachel, appear to enlighten us about their exciting love, their improper marriage, her feelings about a husband that is elevated to idolatry as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans and her heartbreaking--literally--treatment by the media? Perhaps it will be the very lovely, strong-willed Emily Donelson, Rachel's niece and wife of Jackson's nephew and ward, who will appear to tell of her aunt's romance and death, which would result in Emily's role as Jackson's White House hostess. Who will come forward to explain the scandal surrounding Margaret Eaton, wife of Jackson's Secretary of War, that brought the destruction of a Presidential Cabinet and ignited the gossip mills of Washington, D.C.?

There are many others who could comment on Jackson's actions and reactions. Native Americans certainly have an opinion on the President who fought for Indian removal, believing it to be necessary and practical. Friends who enjoyed the rewards of Jackson's "spoils system" would probably rave about the perks of patronage and political loyalty. Citizens of South Carolina, so upset by President Jackson's strong federal policies that they worried about losing states' rights, might voice thoughts of nullification and even secession. Will looking at Jackson's image on the $20 bring thoughts of his concerns about the Bank of the United States?

Turbulent times demanded strong leadership and daring decisions. Andrew Jackson, the man of the people, saw America as his family--a union, one and inseparable! He brought a lion's strength and roar! "He dominated the times, and the evidence of his strength and the aura of his authority led some to think of him as the 'Old Lion.' " Please, come meet the American Lion and his friends and family!

Barbara Rinella Luncheon and Dramatic Book Review
Friday, September 25, Doors open at Noon, Lunch at 12:30pm, Performance at 1:30pm, $28 Member Fee, $35 for Public

Labels: chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, retirement community, upscale retirement community

Members gathered around the concierge desk at the reception center waiting to launch our journey to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. We received our prepaid Orchestra tickets and invitation to have "Lunch with the Maestro." The Garlands bus arrived about 11 AM driven by one of the Member Services drivers who courteously placed a portable step at the bus door to make it easier for everyone to enter.

Seventeen of us chose seats randomly with spouses or friends. Our driver loudly welcomed seventeen and promised to return seventeen. The early departure time assured the on-time arrival for lunch and the anticipated comments by the Music Director, Robert Hanson, about the scheduled composers.

Off we went on schedule for the forty minutes drive to Elgin. Quick 'how are you' and 'hellos' attuned all for the ride. We settled into our own conversations about family, friends and the performance. Many good comments about the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and its Conductor Robert Hanson could be heard.

The bus pulled in front of the Heritage Ballroom in downtown Elgin, just across from Hemmens Theatre, where our lunch and lecture would be held. A friendly docent led us to a large bright hall with round tables each seating ten. We chose a table close to the front in order to hear the lecture better. Lunch was served promptly, and during desert Music Director and Conductor Hanson talked about the two great composers featured: Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. He related stories about their lives and contrasted their philosophies and composing techniques. His talk was well received.

Most of the Garlands member seats were in row L center, just about perfect. A few of our members had seats in front of us, but the group was together. Musicians arrived, tuned their instruments and arranged their scores for the performance. The Conductor entered quietly to much applause, bowed politely and started the concert: a Tchaikovsky Concerto and a Shostakovich Symphony. Two hours of great music made wondrous our Friday afternoon.

The waiting Member Services driver helped seventeen back to their seats, counting a second time to be sure no one was left behind. Then, we departed for Barrington. All were pleased with the trip, the lunch and lecture, and above all, the quality performance by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Our members continued the discourse about the talents of the composers--Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. Back to our upscale retirement community just after four, and pleased with our day--nap-time beckoned.

Labels: active retirement communities, chicago retirement community, Jack and Rita, Midwest retirement home, upscale retirement community

Early on, our crew made the decision to use metal stud partitions that are prefabricated off site. Why? First and foremost, the panels arrive in nearly perfect condition. Producing precisely sized, beautifully square panels like these is very difficult on a work-site, and the time spent reworking them into shape is time we'd rather spend on the building itself. The panels are fabricated on an assembly line in Alpharetta, Georgia that has been designed specifically for our application and then shipped to our site here in Barrington, Illinois. This decision has saved us money and time, allowing us to maintain the brisk construction schedule for this grand addition to our upscale retirement community.

Labels: Chicago assisted living, chicago retirement community, chicago senior living, Phase II, upscale retirement community

Despite the constant barrage of cold weather, construction of the "Phase II" addition to our upscale retirement community continues to progress right on schedule. The crew is currently assembling the superstructure of the new building, which consists of load bearing wall panels, structural steel beams, metal decking and the pouring of concrete floor slabs. Construction on the west wing has began with the framing of the 1st floor, while the central section has now sprouted a 2nd floor, and work on the eastern wing is now all the way up on the 4th floor. We plan to begin putting up roof trusses and installing roof materials in the spring.

With many lower levels now enclosed, construction has sped up considerably--who doesn't like working indoors on days like these? Our tradesmen have completed over half of the suspended plumbing, electrical, and fire protection piping. The large intake/exhaust fans and their related runs of ductwork are now up. The installation of the electrical vault for the new power system is scheduled to begin next week--a critical milestone for all construction projects.

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

I enjoy the walk from my apartment to the other buildings and activity sites of our upscale retirement community: Resource Center, Surround Sound Theater, Performing Arts center, Fitness Center, the bank and gift shop etc. The pleasurable beauty of the Prairie style architecture, and the cool ceiling and door lighting fixtures are never tiring.

I marvel at the information freely given by my neighbors at each door I pass. I use the name plaques to reinforce my memory and visualize those I know. For those I have not yet met, I embed the name in my mind, until I meet that neighbor.

But, my favorite pleasure is stopping to closely look at the Little Shelves outside most doors. Take a look yourself and discover some of the special interests of your neighbor. The Little Shelves reveal a lot. I gaze at shelf photos of members and family--many grandchildren. Some photos of good times, long past, and good times just lived. How nice they look, then, now and during the passage of time.

Squeezed onto these Little Shelves are flowers, real & artificial, highlighting the seasons or special meanings. Many arrangements, carefully designed, are beautiful. One will never go hungry during a stroll around our buildings because members offer a variety of sweets to those passing by: chocolates and hard candy. Like the flowers, the types of candy differ at Easter, Halloween & Christmas.

The souvenirs, on the little shelves, hint at the travels taken or at some special love of the decorator. There are sculptured birds and grand elephants from India. Dolls displayed for beauty or as a reminder, to oneself, of a reassuring security needed long ago.

Yes! There are stories on the Little Shelves, interesting stories worth knowing about. Ask your neighbor tomorrow about their memories resting quietly on their Little Shelves.

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