By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Chuck and Marge Wegscheider moved into their Arvada patio home 20 years ago, they were connected to the community. “Now, days go by without seeing anyone,” says Mr. Wegscheider.

Unwilling to sit back and accept a life of isolation, the Wegscheiders joined Tanglewood Creek’s priority list and look forward to reclaiming their social lives when the community opens in 2010.

“Where we live now, there are no amenities, no clubhouse, no pool, and no activities,” says Mr. Wegscheider. “But that’s not the way we like it. We’d rather have lots of interaction and the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities.”

The Wegscheiders will certainly be in the right place for that. With busy clubhouses chock-full of fascinating people making the most of every minute, Erickson communities have a way of recharging anyone’s social life. And Tanglewood Creek will have that same magic.

Many older Americans may be missing out on life without even knowing it, says Tanglewood Creek Retirement Counselor Kelly Ornberg. “As homeowners, it’s easy to become comfortable with your surroundings and spend a lot of time alone,” she says. “A big part of what makes a community like Tanglewood Creek so special is the active and social lifestyle it creates.”

Fish in a barrel
From the on-site fitness and aquatics center to Wii game competitions to the lively restaurants, it’s hard not to be socially active at Erickson communities. Just ask Peggy Berlow and Jan Sieck, who live at Erickson’s Highlands Ranch community. They met the day after Berlow moved there.

“Jan was on the Welcome Committee and volunteered to call on me. She knocked on my door, asked if I’d like to go have dinner, and we hit it off from there,” says Sieck. “We laugh a lot, we both love dogs, we both enjoy bridge, and we walk together every morning. People here call us the Bobbsey Twins.”

“I’ve always been an active person with lots of friends, but you can’t meet this many people living by yourself,” says Sieck.