Springmoor

Living Like Family at Springmoor

This week, Bill Marley, one of Springmoor’s newest residents shares his journey to Springmoor – his new home and his new extended family.

 Many thoughts come to mind as Frances and I reflect on our journey to Springmoor. This journey actually began in quiet conversation one evening a few years ago as we discussed the notion of downsizing. Many “empty-nesters” tend to do this after growing weary of rattling around in a big house, climbing stairs to the second floor, and constantly attending the responsibilities of property ownership.

Retirement

We were very independent, but had a few developing health issues. This led us to consider moving to one of the fine retirement communities in Raleigh. We are blessed to have our two sons and their families living in the Raleigh area. They would gladly provide all the assistance needed as we grew older. However, Frances and I wanted to spare them of that responsibility and the effect caring for us would have on their lives.

Being Raleigh residents, we were well acquainted with Springmoor. Many friends were living here and Frances had performed for the delightful Springmoor Residents many times as a member of the Cardinal Singers.

A Springmoor Marketing Counselor became our guide along this journey. It was an easy decision to choose Springmoor as our future home. We both had a comforting feeling of relief the afternoon we sat with her and signed papers placing us on the wait list for residency. Just having our names on that list gave us an immediate sense of belonging to this community.

Family

After moving here four months ago, the feeling of belonging has grown stronger. Everyone has welcomed us into the Springmoor Family with open arms. We enjoy seeing old friends more often now and meet new friends almost daily. Frances has benefited tremendously from the expert physical therapy sessions at the Stewart Health Center. I enjoy being a cashier at Springmoor’s Little Corner Store one morning a month. Becoming more involved in activities and volunteering our services as much as possible is something we are looking forward to in the months ahead.

I want to express the thought that “comfort” and “relief” are defining words in our lives since becoming Springmoor Residents. This is particularly true for me. Frances uses a walker and depends on me to be her “legs” and perform more than the usual “chores” expected of husbands around the house. Her safety and well-being are first and foremost. When living in our Raleigh home, I carried on my shoulders the responsibility of being first responder by calling 911 and then doing all I could awaiting the arrival of help. The weight of that responsibility has been significantly lightened now that we are Springmoor Residents.

Travel

Before Springmoor, I was always uneasy leaving Frances alone at home when I had to make an occasional day-trip out of town. I made certain she had everything needed close at hand, including medicine, a charged cell phone, and list of emergency numbers. I scheduled my trips when one or both of our sons would be in Raleigh and could come to help, if needed. I then called throughout the day to make certain she was all right. I was always uneasy there would be a certain delay in getting help to her if she had any trouble.

Now I am “comforted” and “relieved” in knowing that if Frances needs help while I am away, she can dial zero, pull the security cord, or press the pendant and help will be at our door in a brief minute. On a recent 12-hour round trip to Bryson City in the far western mountains, I knew Frances was safe in our Springmoor home. I was much more at ease driving in the heavy I-40 traffic without an urgent feeling I needed to get back home as soon as possible. That night, as I turned off Sawmill at the end of the trip, the double driveways at the lighted Springmoor entrance were like two outstretched arms welcoming me home again. I knew Frances was awaiting my return, safely inside the community. Continue reading →

Entertaining Your Guests

“Ma chere Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight and now we invite you to relax. Let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents…your dinner!”

Be our guest, be our guest

Put our service to the test

Tie your napkin ’round your neck, cherie

And we’ll provide the rest…

(Ewan McGregor, Beauty and The Beast)

Do you have guests this weekend? Springmoor is happy to help! We have guest rooms, dining services, exercise facilities, a computer lab and game rooms for your visitors while they are here. We want both of you to enjoy your time together and leave the hospitality duties to us.

Dining

Your guests are welcome to dine in any of our four dining areas. Whether it is a white tablecloth dinner or a quick snack at the café, we can help! You can grab an ice cream afternoon snack with your grandchildren or enjoy a cocktail and dinner with your best friend in the dining room. If you prefer to host a special event dinner party with your guests, our catering services can help plan this too. We have several private dining rooms to offer for your event. Our newly renovated guest rooms now have refrigerators, microwaves and Keurig Coffee Makers for a late night snack or an early morning breakfast.

Exercising

Springmoor is surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods with bike trails and walking paths. The Capital Area Greenway Trail system has over 100 miles of trails and 14 parks. Your guest can run through the neighborhood, walk around one of the city’s lakes or visit our Wellness Center and jog on the elliptical trainer. Springmoor’s saltwater lap pool is perfect for an early morning swim or an afternoon with the grandchildren. We invite your guests to join you for fitness class too.

Games and Computers

Billiards, Horse Shoes, Putting on the Green, Ping Pong, Puzzles and Croquet can all make a fun family afternoon with your guests. The Woodshop and the Meraki Arts Studio can be used to work on a special project if you need a little extra room or special tools to create a unique project. Need to check your flight schedule or print a boarding pass? Our computer room is available for your guest too.

Convenience Store and Bank

The small convenience store is open every morning, making it easy to pick up any item your guest forgot to pack. We also have a Wells Fargo Branch located in North Village. All of the services and amenities we offer to our residents are also available for their guests. Our Springmoor Presents series of musical events and lectures is offered several evenings a month and we would love to have your guest join you for that too!

Raleigh

Running, golfing, dining, and shopping: Raleigh has so much to offer its visitors! The list of museums and festivals available make Wake County a wonderful place to visit. If you haven’t shown your guest the NC Museum of Art, seen a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center, visited the NC State Fair, attended a Durham Bulls baseball game, or listened to the banjos at IBMA Wide Open Blue Grass, you have a long list of things to do! We are home of the very best ACC basketball, baseball and football too – the Triangle can be filled with Wolfpack, Tar Heel and Duke fans most any weekend. If you are in town for a game or a short visit with your parents, we have a room for you!

Our guest rooms are located in both North and South Villages. We have a variety of sizes for you and your family. Several of our guest rooms also include a full kitchen and a sleeper sofa for the little ones. We have smaller rooms too if your stay is only for a night or two. Continue reading →

What Makes Springmoor Unique?

A future resident called to schedule a tour last week. They said they were interested in seeing the campus described as “the one in the forest.” This certainly describes one of the most unique qualities of Springmoor.

The Grounds

When the property was developed, the designers drew the plans for the buildings into the topography of the land. Leaving the natural grading and the well-developed trees gives each apartment a beautiful view from their ground floor patio, upper deck porch or bay window. The paths through the woods provide a shady walk on a hot afternoon. And in the fall, when the trees are changing colors, the views are spectacular!

The paved sidewalks throughout the campus are perfect for a morning walk.

The colors in the spring are beautiful. Azaleas, Dogwood trees, Hydrangeas and more fill the campus with an array of blooms.

Residents can often be found planting a few of their favorites around their patios.

There are quiet spots everywhere to enjoy being outside. You will find comfortable spots to read a book, watch the birds or just enjoy the sunshine under the arbor, in the gazebo or by the fountains.

The Carolina blue skies are always a perfect backdrop to our green campus!

The Employees

And if you ask a Resident What Makes Springmoor Unique – they will tell you it’s also the employees. Their dedication and hard work help make life so simple. Everything from the bank to the fitness center is here. Our lovely campus also has a library, a convenience store, a movie theatre, an art studio and so much more!

The Residents

And if you ask an employee What Makes Springmoor Unique – they will tell you it’s THE RESIDENTS, of course!

We invite you to take a tour of our campus in the forest and meet a few friends that call Springmoor home. Continue reading →

Putting on the Springmoor Green

Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented. Arnold Palmer

Take it from the pro – it is great for the soul! Tom Howell, Willie Martin and fellow Springmoor putters will agree. On a late Monday morning, you will find a group of men and women gathered on the “Springmoor CC Putting Green” to play a round of 18. Closest to the Pin, Hole in One and Lowest Score is what this group competes in each time they are together. Scores are never important but a little competition certainly makes it more fun.

Competition

Tom was asked recently to design a new golf card. His fellow golfers told him they needed something a little more official – this is an important part of the game and the details are necessary. Now the card has the length of each putt and the handicap level. The putting green has 9 holes and they will play it twice for a competitive round of golf. They play every other Monday at 11:00.

Brandon Hair, Springmoor’s Executive Director, joined the group during his first few months on the job. He made a hole in one on the closest to the pin putt and won a bag of cookies! The rest of the group trades places on the leader board every other week. Esther Wenzel and Joan Speir, the stars of the women’s team, give the men a run for their money with their putting skills. Don Preiss can be found practicing more than anyone. He loves the sport! New resident Murphy Osborne has recently joined the group and has found his way to the top on many occasions.

Neighbors

Asked how they find new golfers, Tom says it’s not hard. The Welcoming Committee is quick to point them in the right direction. He and Willie get calls from someone on the committee or are spotted at dinner and handed a list of who needs to be invited to play. There are some upcoming residents on the Waiting List that have joined the Monday game too.

If the group wants to play a full round with sand traps, water and long fairways they can head down Creedmoor Road. Wildwood Green Golf Club is only five minutes from Springmoor. They offer a great senior rate Monday thru Thursday, any time of the day. Tom says the location can’t be beat! Five minutes away and you’re on the golf course – what’s better than that?

Rain Delay

And if it’s raining, he invites you to join him at the Billiards Table. Dale Matzinger, our North Carolina Senior Games Ping Pong Champion, signed up for the Wake County Senior Games this summer and encouraged Tom to try this sport too. Armed with a rules book, the two have gotten a lively group of Billiard players together and mastered the Senior Rules of the game. The newly renovated room in North Village has also become the hub of jigsaw puzzle fans. The two groups share lots of laughs together.

There is also a lively game of croquet each week – the South Village offers a beautiful court just outside the Bistro. There are a few putters that play croquet on Saturdays. Whatever your sport – from Ping-Pong to putting greens – there are always opportunities to compete, to share a few laughs and to exercise. Continue reading →

Living an Active Lifestyle

Springmoor offers residents an active lifestyle – from exercise classes to lecturers, from musical events to volunteer activities, from studio art classes to book clubs, from walks on the Raleigh City Greenways to travel tours – we are happy to offer many dimensions of wellness. Whether it is a social activity, a vocational outing or a fitness class – staying active physically and mentally is our key to a successful retirement.

Art and Educational Events

Raleigh is filled with places to go and things to see. If art is your passion, then the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Nasher Museum at Duke University, the COR Museum (City of Raleigh Museum), and the new Gregg Museum at NC State will delight you. We had to schedule a second trip to 21c, a new Museum Hotel, in Durham because of its overwhelming popularity!

OLLI, a continuing education program offered at NC State University, is an excellent way to expand your knowledge. The university offers a wide range of courses each semester that our residents rave about. The course selection includes music, ethics, history, economics, astrology and more. It’s hard not to sign up for a course when you see their catalog! Our residents choose the group classes and we offer transportation to the McKimmon Center.

Musical Events

The Triangle also offers a wide range of music and theatre. The North Carolina Symphony performs in over 90 North Carolina counties. Their headquarters for the Pops and Classical Series is located in the spectacular Meymandi Concert hall in downtown Raleigh. For ticket holders, we offer door-to-door transportation. No more worries about traffic, weather or a place to park with this added benefit. Ticket holders can also enjoy performances and transportation to The Carolina Ballet, Raleigh Little Theatre and the NC Theatre.

We are pleased to bring musical events in-house too. The Bloomsbury Boys, a Dixieland Jazz group, will be here every Saturday afternoon in the fall for Music on the Porch. Frederick Moyers, concert pianist, will join us this fall too. He has appeared as a soloist with most of the major orchestras throughout the US, Europe and Asia. Singer, songwriter, pianist and violinist Sara Getto joins us in September for an evening of music. And we are thrilled to have Pepper Choplin, composer, conductor and humorist, on our fall list too. This summer he premiered his cantatas at The Lincoln Center with 200 voices and orchestras. The Springmoor audience will certainly be inspired with this extraordinary line-up for the fall.

Physical Fitness

As part of the Active Lifestyle, we offer a wide variety of physical activities to keep you fit and flexible, strong and healthy. Our Wellness Center staff offers over 45 classes each week. Aqua Fitness, Line Dancing, Strength and Balance, Cardio, and Pilates are just a few of the many offerings. The two exercise equipment rooms are open daily and our instructors and physical therapist are on hand to help design the best program for your needs.

Tours

Sysco, a global food and equipment distributor, is on our calendar in September. The residents will tour the Selma facility as well as taste food in their test-kitchens. They will see how produce is brought in, packaged and distributed. Our Dining Service Management and Nutritionists are part of the Sysco group. Having a behind-the- scenes look from farm to table will be an educational tour for everyone.

And if animals peak your curiosity, the Duke Lemur Center will be a fun afternoon event. With over 250 primates across 21 species, the research and conservation center is a must see for everyone.

Art Studio Projects

We are happy to announce the opening of our new Meraki Arts Studio in September. With three artist instructors teaching classes in glass making, acrylic painting and mixed-media arts, we look forward to a creative fall schedule. Other artists will be called on to teach watercolor, drawing and additional media. The newly renovated studio has lockers for our residents to store their supplies, a glass kiln for making jewelry and fused glass projects, a custom-designed workspace and display center.

Stay tuned for future blogs on this exciting new Springmoor addition!

Lectures

Dr. Mark Leary, Duke University Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, will join us in September as part of Active Aging Week to discuss “The Role of Self-Compassion in Successful Aging.” He is faculty director of Duke University’s Interdisciplinary Initiative in Social Psychology and heads the Social Psychology program.

Dr. Carol Dunn, NC State University Professor and Department Chair of the Agricultural and Human Sciences program, will also be here to share her knowledge. She will preview Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less: 7 Solutions to Live a Healthier Life.

William and Sue Willis will perform two live shows – Presidents and Their First Ladies as Ike and Mamie Eisenhower and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. In our theatre, we have watched many of their films and are delighted to welcome them for two live performances. The costumes, dialogue and history create a wonderfully unique program.

An Active Lifestyle

Our residents can challenge themselves with a variety of options: fitness for your physical health; lectures, book clubs and tours for your mental fitness. There is something for everyone! The possibilities are endless. Our residents will tell you, “There is just not enough time in the day to do everything we want to do.” Continue reading →

Meet our Wellness Center Team

The Springmoor Wellness Center Team is an active group of exercisers. Most of them started their fitness lifestyle when they were very young. However, Kris, one of our instructors, was almost 30 years old when she stepped into a life filled with exercise. She is the perfect example that it is NEVER TOO LATE TO START!

Stretch, Lift, Lunge, Walk, Run, BE ACTIVE! With over forty-six classes offered each week, two swimming pools and two exercise equipment rooms: our team can certainly find something to fit your needs. Kari Richie, our Wellness Center Director and her staff will have you moving before you even know you are exercising!

Let’s meet the team: Kari, Kris, Trish and Becky

Where did you grow up?

• Kari: Suburbs of Detroit, Michigan
• Kris: New Jersey
• Trish: Independence, Missouri
• Becky: Small town of Quakertown, Pennsylvania (with 8 siblings!)

What was your first job as a teenager?

• Kari: Target – cashier
• Kris: Grocery store – meat department
• Trish: Missouri State Representative’s office – file clerk
• Becky: Sheet Heart Shoppe – making famous Philly Cheese Steaks and dipping ice cream

How long have you been employed by Springmoor?

• Kari: Seven and half years
• Kris: Five years
• Trish: Almost a year
• Becky: Six years

What do you do on Saturdays?

• Kari: Play with my children!
• Kris: Go to the gym, work around the house and do word puzzles
• Trish: I usually run 3-4 miles by 8:00am and then we spend a few hours on the lawn. We love yard work! Then it’s off to run errands and then out to dinner with my husband or friends!
• Becky: In the summertime – water aerobics. In the wintertime – a long walk or bike ride on the American Tobacco Trail

What is your favorite food?

• Kari: “Bad” food – pizza.  “Healthy” food – depends on my mood & the season. Right now it’s a good, juicy watermelon!
• Kris: Fried oysters
• Trish: Mediterranean cuisine
• Becky: Really good CHOCOLATE!

Did you play a sport in high school or college?

• Kari: I was on the high school dance team and coached a dance team while I was in college.
• Kris: No, I did not get into fitness until the early 80’s when “aerobic dance” was all the rage.
• Trish: I ran track in high school. I was also a cheerleader in high school and college so I was cheering for the athletes playing sports!
• Becky: I was the goalie on my college Ice Hockey team

Have you ever run a Marathon, Half Marathon, or participated in the Iron Man?

• Kari: I’ve completed three half marathons and one full marathon! The full marathon started in downtown Detroit. We ran across the bridge into Canada and came back through the tunnels.  It was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life… but very rewarding!!!  No Iron Man.
• Kris: No, no and heck no!
• Trish: Yes, I’ve run several marathons and half marathons. My greatest achievement was the Pikes Peak Marathon coined “America’s Ultimate Challenge”!
• Becky: No and never will!!

What’s for dinner tonight?

• Kari: Leftovers from Sassool: roasted vegetables, hummus, Mediterranean chicken salad and orzo pasta salad
• Kris: Pizza and salad
• Trish: Green protein shake
• Becky: Doherty Pub: hamburgers and French fries. I did a water workout before I went home and it always makes me very hungry!

Whose music is found most on your iPod?

• Kari: My two favorites are Ben Rector and Need to Breathe
• Kris: 80’s heavy metal and fitness music
• Trish: It’s mostly fitness music but if I had to choose an artist, Rascal Flatts
• Becky: ADELE!!!!!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

• Kari: I’d like to go back to Bruges, Belgium
• Kris: New Zealand
• Trish: I would LOVE to go to Ireland and trace our family tree!
• Becky: ANYWHERE IS EUROPE! Next trip will be Netherlands for a bike and sail tour. I hope!!

What one word describes you best?

• Kari: Easygoing
• Kris: Friendly
• Trish: Enthusiastic
• Becky: LOUD!

What new skill would you like to learn?

• Kari: Rock Climbing!
• Kris: Spanish
• Trish: The piano
• Becky: Pickle Ball

What book are you reading now?

• Kari: Lots and lots of children’s books
• Kris: I am in-between books now
• Trish: Body Ecology by Donna Gates
• Becky: The Day the World Came to Town 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

What’s your favorite pizza topping?

• Kari: Either plain ol’ cheese & pepperoni or a specialty white pizza
• Kris: Mushrooms, anchovies, garlic and crushed red pepper
• Trish: Pineapple
• Becky: Mushrooms

Do you sing to the car radio?

• Kari: Yes! And I dance when I’m not driving.  My son loves music so we are always singing!
• Kris: I listen to sports talk radio but if there were music on, I would sing to it.
• Trish: I’m always singing in the car
• Becky: Yes, loudly and off key!

Do you have a personal exercise routine daily?

• Kari: Right now I’m completing a 9-week Beachbody Insanity program. I like to do a variety of things: Zumba, running, interval training, anything with music that keeps me from getting bored!
• Kris: Yes, I try to do a mixture of strength training, cycling, swimming and interval training.  I believe cross training is the key to preventing injury and boredom.
• Trish: I workout every day. I run twice a week, weight training 3 days, Pilates twice a week, HIIT once a week, cycle twice a week, yoga three times a week.
• Becky: Alternate Bike, Walk, Water Aerobics daily

Do you have a Fitbit? How many steps do you average a day?

• Kari: No, I use a GPS watch when I’m running to track my distance
• Kris: I had one but it was never accurate
• Trish: Yes, I use my Fitbit. I average 15,000-20,000 steps a day
• Becky: Apple Watch—10,000+ Daily

What’s your best advice for making exercise a daily event? What motivates you?

• Kari: Right now I’m motivated to get back into a pair of pants I bought before getting pregnant!  The best advice I have is to find a buddy: spouse, friend, or co-worker.  You can either exercise together or help keep each other accountable.  You have to start somewhere and you don’t have to be perfect.  If you mess up with your diet or exercise plan, start again tomorrow!
• Kris: Just get yourself to the gym, or put on your walking shoes and tell yourself you will do just ten minutes. Once you start, you will almost certainly do more.
• Trish: Plan your hour of exercise into your day as part of your schedule and move your feet before you eat!
• Becky: I write it in my daily planner and I stick to it!!

Best thing about Springmoor?

• Kari: The people of course! (And the Wellness Center!)
• Kris: The residents are the best thing, followed closely by the staff, especially the housekeepers. They have a hard job but are always cheerful and helpful.
• Trish: The residents. They are inspiring, genuine and truly kind!
• Becky: The Residents Rock!!!!! So does the staff

Continue reading →