Dick holding a book with the text of Lincoln's second inaugural address

Learning Later Means Living Greater

In his youth, Dick Schwemm wanted to become either a professional baseball player, sea captain, or a professor.  A graduate of Amherst College who earned a master’s degree in physics and math from the University of Illinois, Dick did do some teaching as a TA in grad school, however, once his 33-year career at IBM…

Pam sitting at a desk with her laptop and books

Pam’s Passion for Preserving the Past

Pam Wilson’s love for genealogy started not long after she, the daughter of a Belgium immigrant, married a man with ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Pam wondered, “Who were these people who led us to this union?” Thus, her journey back in time via genealogy began. A self-described “dogged researcher” and graphic designer, Pam…

Photo of Mary and Dick

A Love Eight Decades In The Making

Garlands members Mary and Dick Schwemm were both born in Barrington, attended the same second-grade class at Hough Street School, were confirmed in the Barrington Methodist church, were chemistry lab partners junior year at Barrington High School, and were members of the Homecoming Royalty Court. Before senior year was over, they were going steady. “The…

Member, Steve, in the garlands swimming pool

Jump In . . . The Water’s Warm

GONE SWIMMING! At the crack of dawn almost every Saturday morning, Garlands member Steve Bromet leaves a “gone swimming” sticky note on the bathroom counter for his wife before he quietly slips out the front door and into The Garlands lap pool. The morning light pours in from the aquatic center’s atrium skylights as the…

Garlands Member with Parkinson's doing light Poxing

Therapeutic Programming Packs a Punch

Beyond physical fitness and good times, Garlands health and wellness programming offers significant therapeutic value as well. For example, regular Mindful Meditation sessions, led by the Venerable Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk, are a great way to boost mood and practice selfcare, and bi-weekly Exercise for Diabetes classes followed by glucose monitoring help type 1…

Artwork from the glass girl cover

Dorothy Winsor Publishes Her 5th Novel – Glass Girl

At age 72, Dorothy Winsor moved to The Garlands and took up a second career as a young adult fiction author. To date, she has published six books, including her most recent young adult novel, Glass Girl.

Dorothy’s advice to others who are considering pursuing new dreams in retirement is:

“Don’t doubt yourself! Be brave enough to try new things no matter what your age.”

Glass Girl is (unsurprisingly) about a girl who makes glass . . . but that’s not all!

The Seegers

Destination Garlands

A resource to northwest suburban families, The Garlands is home to many pillars of the community who have lived in the area most their lives. However, a little-known fact is that over fifty percent of Garlands members herald from diverse locations well outside of the immediate northwest suburban area.  A quarter of those Garlands members…

You-niquely YOU. Uniquely DeDe

Long-time Barrington resident, fashion model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, DeDe Zwilling is uniquely Barrington. It’s only fitting that her home at The Garlands would be uniquely DeDe.  A self-professed 20-year Garlands “tire-kicker,” DeDe and her late husband had their eyes on The Garlands since the pre-construction phase. “I’ve always admired The Garlands beautiful campus and upscale,…

Karen Robinson Jumping into water

Meet Karen Robinson

It’s just another day in the eclectic life of Garlands member Karen Robinson Fresh off a Lindblad National Geographic snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding trip to Belize and Guatemala, Karen Robinson proceeded to entertain an audience of 60 friends and neighbors in a Valentine’s Day-themed musical cabaret.  Next, she created a faux iPad out of cardboard and…

Linda Hughes showing her Chokin Artwork

An Electrifying Life – Linda Hughes

Linda Hughes displays the Chokin artwork she designed and imported from Japan in her two-bedroom home at The Garlands, where she enjoys new friends, attends events, and organizes weekly Bocce Ball games. Struck by lightning, Garlands Member Linda Hughes should have wound up in the hospital . . . or worse. Instead, the shocking experience…

Marilyn as teacher

School in Now in Session

Garlands Member Marilyn Helberg skipped the second grade—not as a student, but as an elementary school teacher who taught Kindergarten, first, third, fourth and fifth grades. She also wrote district curriculum and served as principal for ten years. “I loved working in education,” says Marilyn. “Every day was challenging and fun.” Marilyn’s love of learning,…

Lee Heckmeck with her cat and donation can

The Garlands Gives Back – Meet Garlands Member Lee Heckmeck

Many Garlands members find new purpose as they pursue post-retirement passions on a volunteer basis. Meet some of the Garlands members for whom “giving back” and “paying it forward” are a big part of their inspired and engaging Garlands lifestyle. Meet Garlands Member Lee Heckmeck When Lee Heckmeck, a retired UPS customer service representative, moved to…

Members Advisory Committee photo

Meet the MAC

“I see The MAC as a conduit to open dialog and a forum for cultivating new ideas and inspiring change if change is needed,” says Marilyn Helberg, the current Chairwoman of The Garlands member-run advisory committee. As the Chairwoman, Marilyn meets with management once a month to talk through different programs and items that have…