By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

This fall’s birthday celebration for now 3-year-old Linden Ponds was cause for champagne, decadent desserts, and reflection for those living in the community.

At all three dining venues, Linden Ponds executives served champagne at a special Friday night dinner, and community members toasted to their lives on campus.

“Everyone found something to toast to or celebrate, even if it wasn’t their three year anniversary of being here,” says Ben Tyrrell, assistant executive director of Linden Ponds.

Something to smile about
Louise Zadworny, who moved to Linden Ponds from Cape Cod a year and a half ago with her husband John, celebrates that they moved while they have plenty of energy to take advantage of life there. “I really feel that we made the right move, and I think we made the best decision to come in early rather than later,” she says.

Between trips to visit their daughters in western Massachusetts and Texas and an excursion to Ireland, the Zadwornys have been adventurous off campus. They also stay active at Linden Ponds playing bridge and helping with community events.  Outside their sunroom is a rock garden that they built with other residents.

But before coming to Linden Ponds, Louise Zadworny says she was spending a lot of time alone and that days would go by in which she only spoke with her husband.  Now at Linden Ponds, she reports that she gets up each day, ready to live an active lifestyle.

“I found that my mental health has improved here,” she says. “I am much more lively, I smile more—I definitely smile more … I’m much happier mentally, and that improves my overall health.”

Growing up fast
As the community has grown, the Zadwornys and others say they’ve had the pleasure of making many more friends.