A Fresh Start: Linda and Lanny Welcome 2025 in a Senior Living Community That Feels Like Family

A new year is like a blank sheet of paper just waiting to be filled with stories about meaningful pursuits and exciting adventures, all shared with the people we love. For many active seniors, a fresh start also means saying “goodbye” to yardwork and household chores by moving to a vibrant senior living community like The Village at Germantown.

At The Village, we don’t think of folks as residents … we welcome them as family. To kick off 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on Linda and Lanny O., two of our newest family members. They planted roots in The Village just this past July—and show no signs of slowing down.

Their New Beginning Was Just a Few Miles Away

Before joining The Village family, Lanny was an insurance company manager, while Linda served as a nurse at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When it came time to downsize, both wanted to move to a retirement community with multiple levels of healthcare, because it would mean greater peace of mind for their family. They just had to find the perfect fit.

From the start, the couple narrowed their search to the Germantown area, which was close to their Collierville home and church, but nothing “wowed” them at first. “Some communities were quite plush, but we didn’t feel a sense of warmth or vibrancy when we visited the campus,” Linda says.

Everything changed when they walked through the gates of The Village. “Several friends lived here and they invited us for dinner and a quick tour,” Linda explains. “Everyone was out and about, doing all sorts of activities and there was a real sense of community here. It wasn’t long before we put our deposit down.”

The pair spent their time on the waiting list enjoying some of our community’s amenities and connecting with their soon-to-be neighbors. “We dined at The Village once a month and attended a few of the educational presentations, so we were able to meet lots of people,” Linda says. “We started feeling at home even before we officially moved in.”

Welcoming the Couple to Our Community After a Fast Sale

When a spot opened up at The Village, Linda and Lanny knew their home would sell quickly … but they didn’t expect an offer in just two days! That was cause for concern, because their two-bedroom Kimbrough apartment, complete with balcony, wouldn’t be ready for another month.

Fortunately, our Germantown senior living community had a plan to welcome the couple a little earlier than expected. “They told us not to panic, because a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment was available to live in until our permanent residence was ready,” Lanny explains.

“It was a no-brainer, because we wouldn’t have to live with one of our daughters or spend four weeks in some hotel,” Linda adds. “Plus, we could start meeting people and checking out all the fun activities before we even unpacked our first box.”

The warm welcome from The Village team didn’t end after the couple moved in. “It doesn’t matter if someone is part of housekeeping or top brass,” Linda says. “They bend over backwards to exceed expectations—and seniors have high expectations,” she laughs.

“They take care of everything—from maintenance to security to emergency medical care (that we hope we’ll never need),” Lanny adds. “And that speaks volumes about the whole operation.”

One staff member who went the extra mile for the couple is Director of Dining Jesse Crittendon, as Linda explains. “Our granddaughter, who has a gluten sensitivity, was planning to join us for Thanksgiving brunch. Chef Jesse went out of his way to include a gluten-free mix at the waffle station that day. He’s just the best!”

The Once and Future Woodworker

Many folks worry that moving to a retirement community might cause their cognitive health to decline—when the opposite is actually true. Once they make their move, seniors often find that they have more time than ever to pursue passions like art, theatre and (in Lanny’s case) woodworking.

Before moving to The Village, Lanny was an avid amateur carpenter and several of his oak and cherry creations followed the pair to their new apartment. When he first walked into the woodshop of our Germantown senior living community, he realized his lifelong hobby was about to get a fresh start.

“It’s the best-equipped woodshop I’ve ever seen, better than the shop in my former house,” he beams. “They’ve got every tool you can imagine … and even some you can’t.”

Once word of Lanny’s skill spread, the other woodshop regulars quickly invited him to join their team of craftspeople who repair and restore furniture for their neighbors. “We spend lots of time fixing or refinishing pieces that have been scuffed or damaged,” he explains. “It keeps my mind sharp, and I really feel like I’m contributing to our community.”

“Lanny’s become one of the most sought-after people in The Village,” Linda adds. “Plus, it gets him out of the apartment!”

Living Well, Forming Connections

Staying active and engaged helps maintain physical wellness while preventing social isolation, which is a common concern among seniors. Linda and Lanny were always regular fixtures in their church and community, and that hasn’t changed since moving to The Village—in fact, their calendar is more packed than ever.

“You can’t possibly do every activity here,” Linda says. “But there are plenty of opportunities to get yourself out there. We both enjoy meeting friends in the Monarch Dining Room, and we visit the fitness center frequently for classes like water aerobics. The food is so good here, we wouldn’t fit in our clothes if we didn’t exercise!”

Lanny couldn’t agree more. “There are balance classes, a pool room and Thursday afternoon cards. And once or twice a week The Village hosts guest lecturers who talk about everything from music to current events. The presentation about the 9/11 memorial in New York was particularly engaging. And when I need a little downtime, it’s just a short walk to my apartment.”

Both also value the meaningful social connections they’ve formed at our Germantown retirement community. “We’ve only been here a few months, but I already feel like I’ve known our neighbors my entire life,” Linda says. “And everyone looks out for one another. When friends transition to assisted living, for example, it’s not like ‘oh, we’ll never see them again.’ We still gather together for dinners or other programs and activities.”

“That’s what makes The Village special. Everyone’s part of the community … part of the family.”

A Life Rich in Possibilities Awaits You in 2025

If the New Year has you thinking about a fresh start, Linda offers a word of advice: “Make your move now, while you’re young enough to enjoy all the activities and amenities a place like The Village offers. Plus, you’ll have the security of knowing you’ll be living comfortably for the rest of your life.”

To schedule your tour of our welcoming senior living community in Germantown, call 901-737-4242.