Erickson Tribune

Linden Ponds

UPDATED: Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Derby Clubhouse opens at Linden Ponds

Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2007
 

Community members rave about new addition to the neighborhood

By Chris Shott
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

“Amazing,” “spectacular,” and “unbelievable” were the common sentiments expressed on March 5 when Linden Ponds formally unveiled its second clubhouse, the Derby Clubhouse.

Despite threatening skies and sliding temperatures, scores of those who live and work at Linden Ponds flocked to the new clubhouse, which opened its doors for the first time that day. The weather failed to deter the excitement that had been building for months in anticipation of the opening day, which instantly doubled Linden Ponds’ impressive list of amenities and services.

Central meeting place
Community members immediately got a vivid sense of the new building’s potential as a central meeting location for the campus. Its airy and spacious rooms were festively decorated with balloons, and staff members were on hand to provide directions and guidance and to answer questions.

“It’s so lovely,” said Betty Linthicum, who moved to Linden Ponds more than two years ago. “It’s a beautiful layout and the restaurants are especially nice.”

Amidst much fanfare and anticipation, the Derby Clubhouse officially began operations March 5 with Linden Ponds residents and invited guests treated to guided tours of the new building.

Many people simply walked through the building at their leisure, admiring its conveniences. The clubhouse includes a restaurant, bistrostyle pub, hair salon, marketplace/ pharmacy, TV studio, 300-seat performing arts theater, creative arts studio, music room, and other types of classrooms.

Spectacular views
Although cold temperatures kept most people indoors, views of outdoor decks and patios attracted significant attention along with rustic landscapes prevalent at Linden Ponds.

“It’s amazing and just beautiful,” said Joe McStowe, community services manager at Linden Ponds. “It augments everything else we have here on campus.”


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‘Don’t want to leave’
Christine Hansen, director of sales and marketing at Linden Ponds, moved into her new office the same day and helped out as a tour guide. She said the proceedings resembled a “neighborhood open house.”

“It’s been phenomenal,” Hansen said. “I’ve talked to people who all say this is another facet of enjoyable living here. Everyone is saying it’s an intimate and beautiful building and no one is leaving. They come, take the tour, but they don’t want to leave.”

While people mingled throughout the new clubhouse, the Linden Ponds Singers performed in the spacious lounge, adding further enjoyment and a special atmosphere to an auspicious occasion.

“We’ll be playing music for eight hours during the opening day festivities,” said the group’s head, Lo Steele, who lives at Linden Ponds and is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music in Boston. “All our members live here. We’ll have pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists performing all day.”

Steele said she was thrilled to be at the opening of the clubhouse. “It’s a gorgeous building,” she said. “I’m especially excited about the theater and what we can do there.”

Steele, who was affiliated with the Boston Opera Company for 25 years, said members of arts groups at Linden Ponds have endless ideas for using the performing arts theater in the future.

“We plan to organize concerts, musicals, and other productions,” she said. “Right now, we’re putting together programs for the dedication of the theater in mid-April, which will include those who live and work here. We intend to include every part of the Linden Ponds community in the productions.”

Cultural activities
McStowe said cultural activities at Linden Ponds will expand in the future, thanks to the new clubhouse.

“The Performing Arts Council at Linden Ponds has come to life very quickly,” he said. “We have many events and activities planned for the months to come. This building will bring lots of life to the community.”

Joining Steele as a performer on opening day was Alma Petrillo, who has lived at Linden Ponds for the past eight months.

“It’s awesome,” Petrillo said of the new clubhouse. “I’m floored by the whole building. It will make everyone even more glad they live here and are a part of this.”

Sense of community
McStowe said openingday festivities were devised to enhance a sense of community at Linden Ponds.

“We wanted to make sure people know this building is theirs,” he said. “It’s a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and it gives us so many more opportunities to do things.”

Derby Clubhouse is the second clubhouse to open at Linden Ponds. The Oakleaf Clubhouse opened in 2004.



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