By Jan Landon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Thirty years ago they chatted across the fence that separated their backyards. Now they can talk in their apartment homes or the Sunflower Bistro, while they work out in the fitness center or practice shots on the putting green—all at Tallgrass Creek.

Neighbors again
Elmer and Betty Hund and David and Thelma Maze hadn’t seen each other for nearly three decades. They had been next-door neighbors from 1976 until 1981 on Mastin Street in Merriam, Kans. It was during a Tallgrass Creek event in October that the long-lost neighbors were reunited.

David Maze recognized the Hunds during the event, and the two couples started chatting. They discovered that they were moving into Tallgrass Creek two weeks apart and would live just a few doors away from each other.

Betty Hund says that since they both have patio apartments on the first floor, on warm days maybe they can meet outside.

The Mazes moved several times before recently settling in at Bluebird Crossing. The Hunds stayed in their home on Mastin Street until the move to Tallgrass. They lived in the home for 41 years. “We figured it was the time of our life we  needed to stop worrying about the upkeep and maintenance of our house,” Betty Hund says about deciding to move to Tallgrass Creek. “We wanted our retirement to be less stressful. We had thought about it for ten years and decided now was the right time. We want to enjoy things and want life to be more carefree.”

Familiar faces
Both couples say they know several people who have moved or are moving into Tallgrass Creek. For example, David Maze discovered at the community’s grand opening that a man with whom he worked Johnson County elections was also moving to the community.