By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Ann’s Choice will celebrate its fifth anniversary this month.
A number of events are scheduled to honor everyone who lives and works there, but especially those who have lived there since it opened in August 2003.
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Executive Director Joe LoCascio says. “And this wonderful campus wouldn’t have been possible without our residents. They are the ones who make Ann’s Choice a true community.”
“This celebration is all about the people who live here,” says Retirement Counselor Donna Donohue. “That’s why we are so excited about it. This is five years of our residents living better lives, five years of our residents making new friends, and five years of our residents having great new experiences.”
Life uncomplicated
Anita and Frank Duke were two of only a few residents who moved to Ann’s Choice the week it opened. “I remember the night we first moved in we went to dinner in the Fireside Restaurant. Well it was this great, grand restaurant and only about eight of us in there eating,” Mrs. Duke says with a laugh. “But [the community has] grown so much since then; it’s been fabulous. We’ve just made so many friends here.”
Since moving to Ann’s Choice, the couple has continued their normal lifestyle with some added amenities. “People always ask us what it’s like,” Mrs. Duke says. “And we tell them it’s just like living anywhere else, only you have a ton of extras, whether it’s clubs, activities, or trips you can take advantage of if you want to.”
“They even make it easier for you to travel,” her husband adds. “We love to travel, and now we don’t even have to find a house sitter. It’s life, uncomplicated.”
Making friends … and marriages
Edith and William McLay say, to this day, the camaraderie between each other and the other pioneer residents who moved to Ann’s Choice in 2003 is still strong.