Look who made it to the top!
By Kendra Karmeris (PR Intern)
Maybe it is the weekly beach walks or the blimp tours, or maybe it is the arts and crafts get-togethers or the tickets to the opera and ballet, or maybe it is the myriad of activities for all walks of life that make the residents of Edgewater Pointe Estates wish they had moved in sooner.
Contrary to popular belief, nestled in the heart of Boca Pointe, Edgewater Pointe Estates and its sister communities St. Andrews Estates North and South just up the street, are not just fine dining and concierge living, rather they are also a place in which resident adventure seekers, fitness buffs, and lovers of the fine arts choose to call home.
With a monthly calendar that includes beach walks every Thursday, daily computer lessons, casino trips, and outings to sporting events, u-pick farms, nature preserves or lectures, the residents of ACTS communities never find themselves looking for something to do. Thanks to Resident Services Director Karie MacDonald the phrase “I’m bored” is never heard on the retirement campus of Edgewater Pointe Estates.
For the last two and a half years MacDonald has made it her mission to continually surprise residents by introducing new events and activities each month. “My goal is for the residents to be enthused and excited to attend our events. If I start feeling bored or there’s not enough diversity, the residents must be feeling it as well. This is my key to kick it up a notch.”
And kick it up a notch she has. Her last outing to the 1906 Hillsboro Lighthouse in Pompano Beach took 22 residents on a short boat ride that left from the Sands hotel and arrived at the historic beach site. Each of the 22 adventure-seeking residents successfully completed the 175 step climb to the very top of the light house, and each had a big smile to prove it.
While there are many large annual events to look forward to such as the recent Senior Sports Day, Fun in the Sun Art & Wellness Fair and a planned tri-community putting competition coming up next month, the activities which occur on a daily and weekly basis are also highly anticipated. MacDonald looks to what the residents want to do when planning every event. “If I see a resident who has not attended an event lately, I will ask them what they like to do, and then try my hardest to make their suggestion an upcoming event. I also make it a habit to ask every new resident what their hobbies are and if they feel like anything is missing from the activity calendar.”
Top regular favorites include: mall shopping trips, daily exercise classes including aquacise in the heated swimming pool, balance and Tai Chi, mind aerobics/Scategories, video game sessions including Wii bowling, duplicate bridge tournaments, monthly casino trips, dances, live music, art exhibits, birthday night and culinary theme events. Yet the great thing about Edgewater Pointe Estates is whether you want to stay in the community or venture out into the Boca Pointe community, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
A perfect example of this is the Edgewater Pointe Estates Talent Show recently put on by the residents. At this event residents not only showed off their talents but also their humor, as a group of gentlemen dressed up as ladies and lip synced to their favorite song. We mustn’t forget the harmonica playing dog and his owner! Former professionals from all walks of life live at Edgewater from inventors to ambassadors to performers and philanthropists.
MacDonald looks to the residents to help with many of the events, the large volunteer base transforms each event from merely just something the residents are attending into something they are a part of. This sense of community is evident in the theme nights that are held. Whether it is residents donating items in need, painting masks, decorations, or making sure they come dressed to a tee in the night’s themed attire, the residents make the events truly unique, spirited and memorable.
The general consensus of 95% of current Edgewater Pointe residents (many are former Boca Pointe neighbors) is that they waited entirely too long to move in, missing out on a lot of the activities. It may be convenient transportation to lunch outings or religious services, or it may be lectures held by prominent speakers, or the fact that every event becomes a gathering of friends -- whatever it may be, Edgewater Pointe Estates is Boca Pointe’s hidden gem filled with a myriad of opportunities for all walks of life. Life Care and concierge living is available for less than $100,000 and $1800 per month per person. (with a 30-40% tax benefit for most) Call Barbara or Diana at 391- 3114 to take a no-obligation tour of the campus geared for independent seniors age 62 and beyond or visit www.ACTSedgewaterpointe.org