Iâm not going to kid you, aging is not for the faint of heart. The entire process is exhausting, time consuming, and takes lots of practice. And to tell you the truth, thereâs no better place to tackle this life challenge than living at Del Webbâs Edgewater community in Elgin.
Maybe Iâm a bit biased because my husband and I live in Edgewater. We bought our home almost five years ago, after touring the model homesâ park several times. The questions were always the same: Should we or shouldnât we? Would we miss the bicycles on the sidewalk, seeing the school bus drive by, strollers, roller skaters, summertime outdoor music, and the Friday night neighborhood get togethers?
Funny enough, we have all that and more. The only difference is now we have the music almost in our backyard with Music on the Green presented three times during the summer. Itâs so much more fun to listen to great music and watch the sun set with 150 of your best neighbors and friends.
Everyone bikes at Edgewater; thereâs even a bicycle club. And as long as you have plenty of insurance, rolling and skating around the ponds is great fun.
The Friday night BYOBâs are a great opportunity to meet new people.
And contrary to what our children may think, we actually dance! Okay, so we do the Lindy, the Stroll, YMCA, and the Electric Slide, but weâre still in the game. And you know how those same kids constantly tease us about our sidewalks rolling up at 8 p.m.? Well, guess what, a roll in the hay doesnât always mean taking the grandkids pumpkin picking!
In an over-55 community, everyone has a story and a life experience. These baby boomers, who just started turning 65 last year, have much to contribute to the Elgin community. Many volunteer their time and talents at the library, area schools, and in the political and civic arena.
Now is the perfect time to reinvent yourself by starting a second or third career. Bob the Builder â a.k.a. Bob Turner â needed something to occupy his time, especially when his flight attendant wife, Gretchen, was away. Bob started a small handy-man business, which has now grown into a âWhen am I going to retire?â lament. He receives as many as five calls per day from neighbors wanting everything from an attic floor to hanging a light fixture. Heâs always in demand.
Ever wanted to explore your inner thespian? The Edgewater Players are a great place to begin. This group has performed three years to sold-out audiences.
Want to discuss a good book? Come to a Chapter One meeting. Resident Nancy Rooker started the book group over 5 years ago and watched it grow from a small group of women to over 35 devoted readers and still growing.
From cooking, investing, lunch and learn programs, exercising, square and line dancing, crafts, Mahjong groups, cards, bridge, water aerobics, and volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball, there is truly something for everyone here.
And if you donât find your particular interest, start a group! I vote for a yearly Woodstock Festival. Why shouldnât the Greatest Generation drive the kids crazy with our funky rock music?
