Charlestown	UPDATED: Thursday, November 30, 2006
Print This Page Email This Story Add to Favorites

A perfect fit

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

Charlestown couple finds new home suits their lifestyle to a tee

By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Carpe diem, when translated from Latin means: seize the day—a phrase that suits Carroll and Phyllis Yingling perfectly.

Carroll, a retired United Methodist Pastor and Phyllis a former teacher for the hearing-impaired moved into their new apartment at Charlestown just eight months ago and have made the most of every moment.

“We originally lived in Catonsville,” says Carroll. “But we decided to sell our house six years ago and move to the city near Johns Hopkins University. We joined the Priority List at Charlestown knowing full well this is where we wanted to be. It was a great experience being near all of the attractions and museums (Carroll and Phyllis are regulars at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and CENTERSTAGE) and it helped ease us into the transition of going from ahouse to an apartment,” he says. “We feel very much at home here. Our apartment is on the terrace level and overlooks the woods. Once the leaves fall off the trees we’ll have a great view of the lake.”

Two artists, one dream
Two artists, Carroll, who makes mobiles out of wire and glass, and Phyllis who paints watercolor greeting cards and writes children’s books have traveled extensively throughout the world.

“We made a commitment that we were going to travel, so when the kids were little we told them we might not be able to afford for you to go to college but at least you’ll have the experience of traveling to all these places,” Carroll says jokingly (just for the record, both of their children did graduate from college).

The family spent a summer in Europe, visited the Swiss Alps, and lived in France where they became fans of a well-known French dish.“

Charlestown

More Charlestown

A hero's homecoming

Brought together by bocce

Erickson residents make it to Hall of Fame!

Tune in—it’s good for your health

Tools

Print This Page

Email This Story

Add to Favorites

We love ratatouille and we’ve always loved gardening so when we moved to Charlestown we signed up for one of the garden spots and planted tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and zucchini,” says Carroll. “As well as some roses and zinnias,” adds Phyllis.

Both Carroll and Phyllis love to cook, but that hasn’t stopped them frequenting the restaurants at Charlestown.

“We like the fact that one meal a day is included in the [monthly service package]. We eat in all of the restaurants here on campus. They have four entrees at each of the different restaurants every night. They always have fish, chicken, and even a vegetarian meal on the menu. The hardest part is deciding where and what you want to eat,” says Carroll.

Walking in any weather
Avid walkers, the Yinglings can be found trekking across campus three times a week.

“We really like the fact that when it’s nice outside we can walk around the community and when the weather gets cold or bad we have these enclosed bridges that allow you to walk from one building to the next,” says Phyllis.

“We’re also impressed with the way they keep the grounds,” says Carroll. “They’re always rotating the plants, putting in seasonal bushes and flowers. It’s nice to live in a place you’re proud to call home.”

Since moving to Charlestown Phyllis has begun volunteering, tutoring at a local elementary school as part of the Bridging Generations Group. She also joined the Harmonizers, a musical performance group in the community. Carroll enjoys gardening and hopes to return to woodworking.

“Charlestown is a wonderful place to live. There are so many things to get involved in,” says Phyllis, “—they show movies and foreign films, they have a terrific library, a theater group that puts on shows, and a wonderful art program. We’ve also enjoyed all the new folks and friends we’ve met,” she says.

“People should really start thinking about moving to Charlestown ten years before they’re ready to move,” says Carroll. That way when you’re ready to move you won’t have to wait three to five years before you can move in. No one knows what the future holds but at least you can be prepared by planning ahead.”