Campus Life Is Rich With Activities, Hobbies, and Fun
“Make the decision to come to Sherwood Oaks while you are young as active enough to enjoy it,” advises Loretta Pospistle, 67. Loretta and her husband Richard, 72, have been residents since 2006. They love the fact that the residents develop and run the activities at Sherwood Oaks and they are taking full advantage of them to match their energetic lifestyle.
Loretta participates in Tai Chi and yoga and shares a weekly walk as part of the Walk with a Friend program. She puts on her dancing shoes and joins husband Richard to take part in line dancing fun. “I enjoy games,” says Loretta, “and I play poker and dominoes. I also like to play Mah Jongg, but there wasn’t a play group here at Sherwood, so Richard and I started one!”
“I enjoy being active and helping others,” says Richard, who possesses many high technology skills. He volunteers weekly in the Sherwood Oaks computer center where he assists residents with projects like email, word processing and slide shows. As chair of the audio visual group, Richard manages the set up of projectors, microphones and sound equipment for campus movies, concerts and presentations. And Richard is involved with the organization of Sherwood’s summer games during which residents compete for bragging rights in games of croquet, golf putting, horse shoes, bocce and other sports.
Now that he has time to devote to it, Richard is getting back to painting as a member of the art group. He spends time with the resident art instructor and is working in both acrylic and watercolors. He is part of the Program Committee that secures outside entertainment such as musical, comedy and guest speakers to perform at Sherwood Oaks. And as a member of the Dining Services Committee, he participates in determining healthful and appetizing food options and reviews resident comments.
As a member of the Health Affairs Committee, Loretta receives health care concerns of residents and helps develop educational programs, such as preventing falls. She felt honored when asked to create a permanent Sherwood Oaks historical display for the Oak Lodge. “Richard and I love to be active and involved, but we make certain to set aside time each day to spend with each other.”
Helen Haberlein came to Sherwood Oaks in 2008. “I am happy here at Sherwood Oaks and there is certainly lots of activity and enjoyable things to do,” says Helen, 77. She swims twice per week and plants and tends flowers as part of the Landscape Committee. She has high praise for the books she reads and discusses at the book club.
“I also make use of the ceramics and pottery studio,” says Helen. “I enjoy ceramics and the studio is fully equipped with a pottery wheel and kiln.” Helen also likes to work on her golf putting on the campus putting green.
Sherwood Oaks residents currently have over 50 committees and activities available on campus. They know that active people are happier, healthier and a whole lot of fun to be around.