Watch a Day With Bob, Rosey and Their Granddaughter
“Our grandkids love to visit. The house and community have a bit of a fantasyland feel to them,” Bob Hess says. Bob and his wife, Rosey, moved to the Sycamore Springs neighborhood at Garden Spot Village in June 2020. The pathways around their neighborhood allow for kid-friendly walks and the stream next to their home is a definite attraction, Rosey says. “The boys love to look for frogs in the creek. And, they are fascinated with our second floor. We keep toys in the spare bedroom upstairs and we have a short hallway where they love to create their own special space by closing all of the adjoining doors.”
“Many of our friends say, ‘You’re too young to be there,’” says Doug Moister, who moved to a cottage at Garden Spot Village with his wife Pegge in December 2016. “Why? Am I going to spend the next several years taking care of the almost two acres of grass, hedges, and gardens, or do I want to be able to do the things I want to do? We feel like this is a gift from God.” Doug adds, “I am just blown away by the people who live here — artists, engineers, farmers, housewives, missionaries… With stories and careers behind them, they’re still accomplishing things. Every aspect of living here is a dream come true for us.”
“One of the best things about living at Garden Spot Village is having lunch with friends daily,” says Carol Hammond. Carol moved to a Village Square Apartment in January 2020 from Prescott, Arizona. Her sister lives in a carriage home at Garden Spot Village. The sisters appreciate the opportunity to live near each other once more.
“I’ve made so many good friends since I moved here,” Carol says. Regional trips to State College and Raystown Lake as well as Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Cape May and Ocean City, New Jersey, deepen those relationships.
Watch a Day in David’s Life
“Garden Spot Village fits us perfectly,” Karen Stambovsky says. She and her husband, David, moved to Garden Spot Village in March 2022. They travel frequently, splitting their time between New Holland, Massachusetts and Florida. Their independent living apartment at Meadow View connects to a memory support suite where Karen’s mom, Kathryn Horst, lives. This unique arrangement allows Karen and David to support Kathryn while they are in New Holland.
“We’ve never been on this road,” say Rich and Anne Treadwell of their approach to adventures both near and far. The Treadwells traded a high-maintenance rancher in Maine for a no-maintenance cottage at Garden Spot Village in October 2014. Their cottage allows them freedom to spend their time traveling to visit family and vacationing. Kayaking during annual treks to Maine provides inspiration as they experience nature up close and personal.
“The longer we are here, the more friends we make,” says Lynne Kokotiuk. John concurs, adding that their bichon-poodle puppy Ollie helps them make new friends. John says, “With a dog, you always stop and visit with neighbors. You don’t just keep walking.” In addition to new friends, life at Garden Spot Village continuously brings new opportunities. John and Lynne both enjoy volunteering for special events on campus and Lynne, a painter, participates in the Art Guild. John also volunteers as a sound tech, with woodshop projects, Caring Connections and Cross Jr., a CrossNet Ministries after school program for elementary students.
“At Garden Spot, it’s easy to connect with your neighbors,” says Rita Gribbell. “If you meet someone at a class or event, you know your chances are good of meeting them again at the Harvest Table or another Garden Spot event.” Rita and her husband Jim moved to Garden Spot from Havre de Grace, Maryland in March 2021. Jim agrees. He’s found his community in the Garden Spot Village Wood Shop. “All of the members are very nice. And, if I have any questions, all I have to do is ask and somebody will show me how to do what I need to do,” he says.
“Our granddaughter, Corinne, loves to visit us. She always comes with a list of things she wants to do, like plant flowers, ride bike, take the neighbor’s dog for a walk and visit the art studio,” says Marge Landis. Marge and her husband Hal moved to Garden Spot Village April 2021. The couple appreciates the opportunities they have to make new memories and write new stories with their children and grandchildren at their home at Garden Spot Village.
“We asked residents and team members a lot of questions as we were making our decision to move to a continuing care retirement community,” Larry McHenry says. “We wanted to be sure that the residents and team members were happy in the community we chose.” Larry and his wife Christine were happy with the answers they heard at Garden Spot Village. The couple is on the Radar Screen and waiting for their next home. In the meantime, they visit several times a week. They enjoy walks through the Legacy Garden, dinner at The Harvest Table and time in the Wellness Center. Christine loves to play pickleball with her future neighbors and Larry enjoys working in the Metal Shop. Christine says, “When we are at Garden Spot, it’s like we are already home.”
We looked at many continuing care retirement communities, but Garden Spot Village stood out due to its Christ-centered mission and strong Christian fellowship,” say Curtis and Paula Cole, residents since January 2019. Since moving, they have embraced the vibrant community, becoming active in the woodshop, art guild, wellness center, village voices and various volunteer opportunities. Curt adds, “We wanted a fee-for-service community because living in a lifeplan community feels like you’re betting against yourself.”
“I looked at ten retirement communities before I picked Garden Spot Village. Some of them were very nice, some had very nice people, and others had very nice activities, but nobody had everything. Garden Spot Village has it all: the ambiance, the atmosphere, the cleanliness, the friendliness, and everything else. If you are bored here, it’s your own fault, but if you want privacy or alone time it’s available here too. It’s the complete package. If you talk to anyone who lives here they will agree, this is the place to be.” Barbara Carter, resident since February 2021.
