8 minute read
Connect with the Colonnade
With An Eye Toward Maintaining Independence
By Ken Reinstein
Colonnade resident Marilyn Vosburg met her husband Gail on the beach in Southern California and they were married for 54 years with two kids, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. After living on the West Coast, Gail was transferred to Ohio.
Eventually the couple ended up in Sun City Grand, moving there in 2003. As is the case for many Sun City Grand residents, Marilyn and Gail started to think about how to remain independent. They loved their home in Sun City Grand and yet they thought ahead to the future. “We were at the end of a very small cul-de-sac, so it was like a little peaceable kingdom back there with the coyotes and the bobcats and the javelina,” she says. “With one child on the West Coast and one child on the East Coast, we didn't really want to leave this area. Yet, we knew that we would have to look ahead to see how we're going to maintain our independence.” “Gail and I looked at The Colonnade twice. Came over, thought it was great, and even put money down once. And then went home, talked it over and we really had a good location in Grand and I really did not want to move. And then when I was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration after my husband died, I thought, ‘Marilyn, you need to do something.’ And that was a big motivating factor for me.” The Colonnade was a big draw for Marilyn because it is part of Sun City Grand where she was active in the photo club since it its inception. And, where she could remain close to her friends.
“I realized, ‘I've got to move while I can still get in,” Marilyn said. “Let's be honest. They're going to give me a health check, and if the doctor says I can't live independently, I'm stuck. So, we crunched the numbers, and it was something I could do and live here a long time. So, I thought the money that I would spend traveling, I'm going to put into making this my home at The Colonnade.” Once her wet macular degeneration happened, she could no longer drive, and she also was not able to read or write. One of the benefits at The Colonnade include transportation services. “I would say the ability to get to doctors’ appointments without having to go down your list of friends and think ‘how many times have I asked them?’” Marilyn says. “I have a big network of friends. But to know that I don't have to depend on them because I can call up drivers George or Dave to help me. They are such a plus for this organization. They are so nice, and it helps maintain my independence.” Another plus is the ability to have meals delivered to her casita.
“Because knives and I are not a good combination anymore,” Marilyn adds. “To be able to have meals delivered is a real plus. I love the staff, including Joseph, Liz and Caleb. They're so helpful. And I can walk up to the Bistro and if it's not busy, I have a pretty good idea of where the empty tables are. I can go by sound. The team behind the counter Cartral, Carlandus and Damien are so helpful giving me just the information I need to navigate to the right table.” Then there are the fitness classes. “With exception of my eyes. I am healthier now than five years ago,” Marilyn says. “I walk everywhere. I don't need anyone to come get me unless it's night. It’s the availability of classes that are included in the fee that I pay monthly, and April and Colleen are the best. I take 12 classes a week.”
These are just a few of the many benefits residents of The Colonnade have. Everyone is welcome to visit our campus and enjoy a meal at The Bistro, which is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To learn more about living at The Colonnade, A Sun Health Life Plan community featuring independent living as well as offering Assisted Living and Memory Support services for both residents and non-residents, call (623) 236-3770 or visit SunHealthCommunities.org/ Colonnade.
Can Geckos Swim?
By: Anne Martin
SCG Masters Swimming Team, the SCG Geckos According to scientific texts, geckos can neither swim nor float; however, the Sun City Grand Masters Swim Team, the Geckos, disproves that almost daily. Led by Coach Cokie Lepinski and assistant, Sandie McTavish, the team meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30-10 am, in the Adobe Pool. Workouts include warm-ups, coach-led drills in various strokes, and main sets for reinforcements. Recent evidence shows this hard work is paying off! In the Ron Johnson Invitational State Championship, held last November at the Plummer Aquatic Complete at ASU, Sandie McTavish single-handedly won the “Small Team Division” for the Geckos. She earned six gold medals in the following events: 50, 100, 200 Breaststroke; 100, 200 IM; 200 Free. What a Gecko!
Geckos lit up the Senior Olympics, February 27, at the Mesquite Grove Aquatic Center, Chandler. Dick LeRoy took gold in all five of his events: 200 and 500 Free; 50 and 200 Back; and I00 IM. His fellow Gecko, Sandie McTavish, grabbed gold in her three races: 200 Free, 200 Breaststroke; 200 IM. They must have needed a U-Haul to get home! March 12 found the Geckos having fun in the Sun City West Relays, a great way to spend a Saturday in friendly competition while learning from other swimmers.
While the Geckos have hares, they also have a tortoise in Anne Martin, steady as she goes. Anne enrolled in a Colorado Masters Virtual Swim-Around-Hawaii Challenge from Oct. 1-March 31. At first Anne chose to swim 150 miles, O’ahu to the Big Island. She hit that goal in 3.5 months, so she upped her swim to 200 miles (Moloka’i to Ni’ihau) and hit that mark Feb. 28th. Who knows where she’ll be next year!
Grand Geckos Swim to Success
Geckos praise Coaches Lepinski and McTavish while proudly sporting Gecko party headgear. Seated (l to r): Karen Carnow, Pat Dirschberger, Suzy Mitchell Standing (l to r): Cokie Lepinski, Mickey Stillwell, Vel Perry, Sandie McTavish, Anne Martin, Cheryl Reinhart, Jodie Jochman, Pam Speer, Harvey Zarenski, Pete Carder. (l to r) Mickey Stillwell, Dick LeRoy, and Kelly Lindblom execute their “Swimmin’ In The Rain” Routine. Gene Kelly look out!
Who said Geckos can’t even float? Drill techniques help.
The Geckos are not always about competition. They are a giving, helpful, caring crew. The team hosted two Freestyle Clinics in Nov. and Dec. 2021 here in Grand’s Adobe Pool. In that same vein, Geckos are offering the continuous learn-to-swim program here in Grand.
This Masters Team has the motto of “fun, friendship, fitness.” They like to work hard in practice but also have fun. Check them out during their scary Halloween workout. Swimming on a broom while wearing a witch’s black hat isn’t easy! The holiday season shows them choosing exercises from the ornaments on a tree of the coach’s design. They swim in sunshine and rain. Folks ask them how they can swim outside in 40-degree weather. Well the water IS warm!
Coach Sandie noted: “Aside from my personal need to compete and stay fit, there is a wonderful camaraderie in Masters Swimming, not only with teammates, but with other swimmers I meet from other teams. Swimming competitions have provided me with the opportunity to travel throughout the US, Canada and Europe. It is something I will be able to do for years to come.” Dick LeRoy spoke about swimming as his new “go to” sport since age 65 when his basketball knees told him it was time to use them in the water! He loves the varied workouts and says he competes to add spice to his workout progress. Dick likes to put a conclusion to the lesson he learned in team time at Adobe. He has solid praise to give to Coaches Cokie and Sandie who provide new and varied workouts, constant positive input, updated techniques and plenty of encouragement. Dick is now a dyed-inthe-wool Gecko!
So, SCG residents, if you are walking Adobe’s inside track on a cold, rainy day, you don’t have to guess any more about what you are seeing in the pool. It’s the SCG Geckos doing what they do best -having fitness fun.
Stats from 2019 Nationals still stand. Check out the hardware won by (l to r) Dick LeRoy, Sandie McTavish, and Cokie Lepinski. Coaches McTavish and Lepinski share basic techniques with avid learners in their Freestyle Clinic.
Instructors Cokie Lepinski and Mickey Stillwell (last two on r) celebrate with graduates of the Masters Adult Learn-to-Swim Program.
Geckos that Shine
National times set in 2019 still stand because of the pandemic, and Geckos shone there. Vel Perry (85-89 age group) in Long Course won 3 firsts: 50 and 100 free and 100 back; second in 50 back. Short Course: 3 firsts in fifty free; 3 seconds in 100 free, 50 and 100 back. Dick LeRoy (75-59 age group)– top 10 in two relays in Short Course, with 4th and 9th place ranking. Sandie McTavish (60-64 age group) – top 10 in 200 breaststroke with 9th place finish short course finish plus 9th place short course relay finish. Cokie Lepinski (60-64 age group) – top 10 in 7 Short Course individual event and one relay, 4th in 200 IM, 5th in 200 breaststroke, 7th in 100 IM and !00 breaststroke, 8th in 200 back, 9th in 100 back, 10th in 50 breast.
