Garlands member Darlene Plocinski in her new limited edition home

Limitless Opportunities with NEW Limited Edition Two-Bedroom Homes

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Garlands member Darlene Plocinski’s new Limited Edition home features the “best of both worlds” – treasured pieces from prior homes and fresh new selections she chose with her daughter. The Fine Art of Retirement®… The Garlands new Limited Edition, transitional style homes balance up-to-date motifs in a timeless design that offers a seamless backdrop for… Continue Reading Limitless Opportunities with NEW Limited Edition Two-Bedroom Homes

Sally Nutini posing with her sister MaryLou Nunamaker

Sisters Out on the Town – Travel Club

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Garlands Travel Club members had the opportunity to admire the work of one of their own while cruising Chicago’s famed architecture.  Garlands member, Sally Nutini (pictured above left)and her husband’s construction company, North Products, were behind a significant amount of high-end, custom skylights and doors created and installed in landmark buildings throughout the greater Chicago… Continue Reading Sisters Out on the Town – Travel Club

Garlands Play Readers

Laughing and Singing with The Garlands Play Readers

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This fall, The Garlands Play Readers, a troupe of ten-plus thespians, all of whom are over the age of 75 and live at the Barrington retirement community, delighted packed audiences at two performances of their original variety show, “Laugh and Sing.”   Filled with songs made famous by the likes of Doris Day, Bing Crosby,… Continue Reading Laughing and Singing with The Garlands Play Readers

Heather Kircher, Untitled Painting Apples and Flowers in a basket

Mastering The Fine Art of Retirement® at The Garlands

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One of the most spectacular aspects of retirement is having the time and resources to explore one’s passions. Many Garlands members have mastered this aspect of “the fine art of retirement.” Some are literally studying and producing their own fine art . . . and inspiring Garlands staff to do the same. Their collective works… Continue Reading Mastering The Fine Art of Retirement® at The Garlands

Trickster on Kindle and in softcover

The Garlands Resident Author Publishes Again!

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  During both her careers—initially as a technical writing professor and author at Iowa State University, and currently as a five-time published author of young-adult fantasy novels—Dorothy Winsor’s routines and writers’ groups have served as the beacons and buoys by which she steers her life as a writer. Since Dorothy and her husband Rich moved… Continue Reading The Garlands Resident Author Publishes Again!

Peggy Clough at her computer

Embracing the Opportunity to Learn MORE During COVID

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When Garlands Member Peggy Clough retired after a 33-year career as an acute-care physical therapist (University of Michigan) and teacher (University of Wisconsin – Madison), she couldn’t wait to chase after all the intellectual topics she’d never had time to fully explore: The U.S. Constitution! Getting to the bottom of the question of women priests… Continue Reading Embracing the Opportunity to Learn MORE During COVID

Oliver and Barb Mayes near a piano

Moving Made Easy . . . Even in a Pandemic

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Garlands members Oliver and Barb Mayes are no strangers to planning, organizing and multi-tasking. Oliver is a musician and former high school band director turned Vietnam Army pilot turned career United Airlines pilot who, together with his wife, Barb, simultaneously owned, operated and eventually sold a successful H & R Block franchise all while successfully raising two, now adult, children. So, in… Continue Reading Moving Made Easy . . . Even in a Pandemic

Rem Stokes dressed as a Christmas elf

Seeking Answers to Life’s Little Questions Leads to Big Existence

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This Christmas, Garlands member Rem Stokes is mailing his family a collection of original essays that he wrote and had FedEx bind instead of the honey-baked hams he usually sends. Rem jokes that he’s the “real ham,” who likes to be the center of attention, but he rightfully deserves to be in the spotlight! Following an illustrious… Continue Reading Seeking Answers to Life’s Little Questions Leads to Big Existence

Betty Schmidt

COVID Accomplishment: Painting – Betty Schmidt

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Garlands member Betty Schmidt, an accomplished artist and the one-time President of Oil Painters of America, accepted an important commission during the COVID-19 quarantine. The project allowed her to focus on the positive and fill her days with something she loves.   In addition, Betty checked off a project she’d skirted her entire life: she… Continue Reading COVID Accomplishment: Painting – Betty Schmidt

Ron and Phyllis Goldenstern

COVID Accomplishment: Gone Fishin’ . . . for Love – Ron and Phyllis Goldenstern!

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Ron and Phyllis have what he calls “a good run” . . . that is to say, Phyllis kept him running since they met as high school freshmen! After 65 years, she is still the love of his life.   Ron says, “We came to the Garlands three years ago when I knew Phyllis might… Continue Reading COVID Accomplishment: Gone Fishin’ . . . for Love – Ron and Phyllis Goldenstern!

Joyce Carlson

COVID Accomplishment: Choosing Gratitude (and Getting the Job Done) – Joyce Carlson

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One of the maxims Garlands Member Joyce Carlson lives by – pandemic or not—is: “Be grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. Count your blessings, not your problems.”   Upon moving into The Garlands eleven years ago, Joyce thought, “I’m starting a new phase of my life. Now I’ll have time to… Continue Reading COVID Accomplishment: Choosing Gratitude (and Getting the Job Done) – Joyce Carlson

Harriet Ahr Walking

COVID Accomplishment: Choosing a Great Attitude – Harriet Ahr

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Garlands Member, Harriet Ahr, chooses to have a wonderful day every day. A key component of her daily attitude adjustment is movement. Harriet walks outdoors and indoors, takes fitness classes, exercises in The Garlands Fitness Center, and works out virtually with The Garlands trainers. She’s at it every day and says that exercise is what… Continue Reading COVID Accomplishment: Choosing a Great Attitude – Harriet Ahr

Barbara Seaman

COVID Accomplishment: Writing Haikus – Barb Seaman

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  Garlands member Barbara Seaman, who, under other circumstances performs with her acting troupe, The Garlands Playreaders, took her show off-stage during the COVID 19. Now she writes haikus in measured syllables to remember good times, cope with the pandemic, and exercise her creativity.   Take a peek, count her lined beats, and enjoy her… Continue Reading COVID Accomplishment: Writing Haikus – Barb Seaman