“Hello, George and Pat!”

That’s how two of our residents are greeted every time they walk in the dining room for a meal. Actually, that’s how every resident is greeted—by name.

“The first time you walk in that dining room, it’s like they've known you all their life,” George said. “The people are friendly here, very friendly. You never meet a stranger.”

George and Pat, his wife of 12 years, moved to 10 Wilmington Place last year after just one visit. They were familiar with the community, and knew they eventually wanted to live somewhere like it. They came in for a tour one day to see what it was all about, so they could make the right decision when the time came. As it turns out, the time came sooner than they thought.

“One day, just two or three weeks after we had a visit, I came out of our bedroom and said to Pat, ‘I think we go ahead and move over there now.’ We just loved it,” George said.

Since moving to 10 Wilmington Place, George and Pat have gotten very involved in different activities and areas of the community. George is secretary of the council and plays guitar in the Newcom Lounge on the second Tuesday of every month. They also attend church and volunteer frequently in the grocery store.

And while there are several activities and events to join on campus, the couple still enjoys the freedom to hop in their car and get off campus if they like.

One thing they particularly enjoy is picking their grandchildren up from the school bus in Bellbrook once a week and bringing them back to 10 Wilmington Place for the evening.

“We eat together, they play pool with George, and then I take them back to their church,” Pat said. “Our granddaughter likes to go look in the windows where people put decorations and other things. She’ll hug the little bears and the dolls. But we spoiled her, and once she didn’t want to go home! She told her mom, ‘It’s fun here!’”

When they’re not volunteering or spending time with their grandchildren, George and Pat enjoy dining with their friends, sitting on the second-story porch with coffee, reading, and doing puzzle books. They even have a second bedroom in their apartment that allows space for George to practice and store his guitar and equipment.

They’re also looking forward to seeing the community decorated and filled with special entertainment during the holidays.

“The food is exceptional, the porch is beautiful, it’s a very pleasant, safe, and comfortable place to live,” they said. “So, we think we made a good choice.”