“Running errands used to be a hassle,” says Dee Keller of Arlington Heights. Before moving to Sedgebrook, Dee had to drive all around town just to mail a letter, visit her health club, or pick up a few items at the grocery store. Not only did these errands cost Dee a good portion of her day, they also cost her gas money.

High gas prices may be the most frustrating summer expense. Short of spending $30,000 on a more environmentally- friendly, fuel-efficient car, there’s little you can do but reach deeper into your pocket. Of course, you could always cut back on driving, but if you don’t go to the grocery store, who will? Besides, cutting back on your summer driving may also mean cutting back on some of the things you love to do.

Dee found a solution that lets her have things both ways. Since moving to Sedgebrook, she spends less at the pump and more time doing the things she wants to do, like yoga and beginner’s computer class.

“I used to drive eight miles to exercise class,” she says. “Now, I just go downstairs to the Fitness Center. I don’t have to run around and I don’t have to use my car at all.”

Sedgebrook’s Fitness Center, swimming pool, and restaurants are located right in the Cardinal Clubhouse, connected to Dee’s apartment home by climate-controlled walkways. But what about the things Dee needs to do? Instead of driving across town on her daily errands, she just takes the elevator or the stairs down to the “Main Street” level of the clubhouse. There, she can mail a letter, make a deposit at the Devon bank, or pick up a carton of milk at the convenience store.

For a quick trip to the supermarket, Dee hops on the Sedgebrook shuttle, which provides regularly scheduled transportation to local shopping destinations like Jewel, Target, Walgreens, and the Hawthorne Shopping Center.

“I am really happy at Sedgebrook,” says Dee. She’s also happy to let Sedgebrook do the driving, so that she can save a little gas, not to mention stress, this summer.