A change of plans they don't regret | | |
|
A lot has changed for David and Margie Saland. A year and a half ago, senior living options weren’t even on their radar, and now they’ve moved into a Villa at White Horse Village.
“It turned out to be the best decision ever,” Margie reflects.
They were taking a trip when they got an email about an opportunity to visit the campus, and David suggested that they check it out when they got back.
They were already familiar with White Horse Village, having visited for dinner with friends. Now, they got a more in-depth introduction and toured some of the living options.
“We had no intention of moving,” Margie recalls. But their plans soon changed.
| |
|
Try out retirement
living now, resident urges
| |
|
Minimize the moves
As Ellen Monsees began her search for retirement living options, she started looking into 55-plus communities, but then it dawned on her: Why make a temporary move just for a decade or so?
“The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to have to move again,” she says.
Another tipping point was hearing from others about their experiences. In many of the articles she read about Continuing Care Retirement Communities, people said they wished they’d moved in sooner.
Ellen was feeling the need for more community in her life at the time.
| |
|
“A place like White Horse Village has so many opportunities to explore new things, to get involved, to be active. And why not come while I’m young enough and healthy enough to really be able to take advantage of that?” Ellen reflects.
She certainly has taken advantage.
| |
|
Volunteers produce
another strong Octofair
| | |
|
We had gorgeous autumn weather for the annual Octofair, which brought out hundreds of visitors to peruse bargains, meet rescue pets, bid on the silent auction items, and take a chance at raffle baskets. The event raised nearly $44,000 for the Residents Association! The silent auction alone raised $14,000, an increase of 11 percent from last year.
The Residents Association supports a number of enriching activities for the community, like Spotlight Series concerts, sports tournaments, and much more.
| |
|
The dining experience
is getting even better!
| |
|
The quality of dining here has always been a feature that residents value. We’re excited to continue that tradition with our new dining provider, Sodexo, a company with deep experience in senior living.
Sodexo is rolling out a revamped and improved experience in December. First up, it will optimize kitchen standards, including upgrading kitchen equipment, and then begin rolling out new menu options.
We’ve also welcomed a culinary veteran as our new executive chef. Mark Bandjough most recently led a large team as the regional executive chef for the region’s popular Brick & Brew Gastropubs. He’s also served as executive chef and dining services director at Merrill Gardens Senior Living, where he designed restaurant-style dining focusing on scratch-made meals and helped open four new luxury senior living communities.
"I am excited to join a community where food is celebrated as essential to fostering well-being and enriching daily life,” Mark says. “For me, creating meals goes beyond nourishment—it's about bringing joy, comfort, and connection to the table.”
Mark knows the tradition of fine dining that he’s stepping into at White Horse Village, and he’s committed to meeting the challenge.
We look forward to seeing—and tasting—his innovation at work, and encourage you to come by and try the experience for yourself.
| |
|
With many in Delaware County short
on food, residents step up to help
| |
|
Helping neighbors in need is the focus of a growing tradition that rallies residents during the holiday season.
The holiday food drive began in 2022, spearheaded by resident Mary Last at the request of Mission Enhancement, and it’s been garnering increasing support each year. For the first event, resident volunteers collected 40 boxes and bins of food and toiletries, and that grew to 57 boxes and seven large bins last year!
A food drive is a natural fit for this community, where a number of residents help at local food banks regularly throughout the year.
Lack of good access to nutrition affects quite a few people in Delaware County, Mary says, citing statistics that nearly one out of every 10 county residents was food insecure in 2022 — totaling more than 55,000 people. “They are our neighbors, and that could be us.”
Quite a few of those in need don’t qualify for SNAP benefits, Mary says, and in addition, basic supplies like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and more aren’t even covered under SNAP.
| |
|
Gardeners share plant
treasures and prevent waste
| |
|
You’ve heard of rescue pets, but how about rescue flowers?
Perennials are flowers that come up in gardens each year, and they can provide many seasons of beauty and happy memories. But at White Horse Village, when a unit’s flower garden changes hands, sometimes these perennials end up uprooted and thrown out.
This past spring, a few volunteers came together to see if they could find some of these retired flowers new soil to thrive in. Residents Ann Ledger and Gladys Snively came up with the idea and brought in fellow plant enthusiast Cathy Bennett to help.
The group received quite a few donations this year from fellow residents, and often got a heads up from landscaper E.G. Rall when plants would be available in common areas. They were able to share many plants with residents and team members.
“This project not only prevents waste, but builds a sense of community. Residents are delighted donating and receiving them,” Cathy notes. “They’re being introduced to perennials they’ve never seen or heard of."
This project offers a great way for garden-loving residents to pitch in and volunteer while providing the joy of flowers to more people!
| |
In September, we celebrated 35 years as a community! | |
Halloween was a chance for creative costumes, our annual parade, and a new trunk or treat event for children in the area. | |
On Veterans Day we heard from Joe Daley, president of Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association and a Vietnam vet, as we held a special recognition for the residents and team members here who have served. | |
Mop tops made a comeback in November as Beatles tribute band the Beat Tells played favorites like “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to a packed auditorium. | |
Photo by resident Duane Thurman | |
We also heard informative history about the native Lenape peoples of this region with a Speaker Series event featuring Chief Barbara Bluejay Michalski. | |
Photo by resident Nancy Hopko | |
Fun outings included trips to the Camden Adventure Aquarium and a chance to experience Valley Forge National Historical Park by trolley! | |
Voted best senior living community | |
White Horse Village has been voted the Best of the Main Line, Best of Chester County, Best of Delaware County, and Town Talk Favorite in 2024. | | | | |
