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Hello again!

Thanks for joining us this month!  It is our pleasure to introduce you to Dee Chandler who is taking over as Editor of our Active Living News e-Newsletter. 

Dee has brought to us all of her talents and ideas on how to make our newsletter even better for you.  Lisa and I remain busy as usual growing our ActiveAdultLiving.com website so as to make it bigger and better than ever. 

It is always, however, always a pleasure for us to hear from you and many of you have taken time to share your thoughts and comments with us.  As always, we keep the invitation open for you to let us know what you think.  Just click here to email us.

We’ve got an exciting issue in store for you…  In celebration of “Be Kind to New Jersey” week, we invite you to take a look at what the Garden State has to offer to boomers and active seniors.  Did you know that New Jersey is the number 1 visited state directory page on our entire website?  There’s gotta be a reason why . . .

To navigate through our newsletter use the links on the left, or simply scroll down.

We'd also really appreciate it if you would "tell a friend" about our Active Living News, just click here.

Thanks,

Stephan and Lisa

A Big Hello!

I am officially the new editor of the e-newsletter for activeadultliving.com and I couldn’t be more excited.  I see it as an opportunity for all of us to learn some things, and more importantly, to share some things.   We want to make this an interactive venue.  I’d like to hear what you’d like to learn more about and also to learn more about you.  We are going to be starting several new features, a few of which you will get to see their debut with this issue. 

So on that note, let me start the first new feature.  I’m going to call it “Life Is Funny”.  My desire in this is to have a place where you can share with all of us your own funny stories.  I personally think a person needs a good laugh every day and especially at your own expense. 

I think in every person’s life there are defining moments.  Defining can mean lots of things – it can mean you suddenly understand what life is all about (still working on that), what your purpose is (still working on that), what your special talent is that can help others (still working on that) or even how others will remember you (here’s my story about that). 

I’ve had what I think are more than my share of embarrassing moments.  The size of the embarrassment tends to be in direct proportion to the size of the audience. 

When I was a junior in high school, which was quite awhile ago and way too early for a defining moment, our boys varsity basketball team made it to the state regionals.  They were so good that year, that we earned the home field advantage.  We were proud to host such a respectable event as our arena was very nice and modern.  After all, Ulysses Kansas Tigers were the cat’s pajamas.

I was quite smitten with myself at the time and my new ever-so-bright yellow and black striped pants with a matching bright yellow shirt and even brighter yellow shoes were just what the moment called for.  I was confident that I would turn heads in that.  And boy did I!  I went to the game fashionably late and made a large production about getting to my seat.  It was on the top row so that everyone could see me as I walked up to it.  I waved and smiled at people I knew (most of them really, after all it was only a community of about 5,000 although I still think they counted a few farm animals in that figure).  After a few minutes I realized I had “forgotten” to get a soda and some popcorn.  I stood up and began my descent down the stairs to once again see and be seen.  On the second step down my cute new shoes caused me to slip and sent me propelling Fred Flintstone-style with my arms and legs flailing about hitting people right and left all the way down.  At the second to bottom step, I somehow became airborne Superman-esque which then caused me to land and then glide on the freshly waxed floor.  Those cursed slick bottomed shoes would not allow me to get up.  As the announcer, my math teacher, yelled into the microphone, “Dee, get off the floor, the teams are headed your way” I more or less dogpaddled over to the edge where I finally hit concrete and could stand up.  As I got to my feet as quickly as humanly possible I heard the loudest roar of a crowd I have ever heard as they all belly laughed at me.  When I did get upright, I was standing right in front of Mr. Wooley and Mr. Chadd, our football coaches, and they were laughing so hard they were crying.  To my knowledge it is still the only time either cried in public. 

It became my defining moment.  For one, I now wear sensible shoes.  But mostly, it’s because inevitably when I return to my hometown, someone says, “aren’t you the girl who . . .” 

So, send in your funnies and please let us know what you’d like to read.  We plan on getting more in-depth on what it’s like living in specific states and what they have to offer that makes them unique.  We’re all at an age where it really is about really living and loving life.

Dee Chandler
makemelaff100@hotmail.com

New Jersey is one of the original thirteen colonies.  It was settled by Dutch and Swedish colonists.   It has a lot of historical sites including the country’s first national historic park in Morristown, and also, uhmmm, is a state with a bad rep?  However, they are trying to overcome that and to that end, they have started “Be Nice To New Jersey Week”, the first week of July. 

New Jersey has some great things to offer.  I can say that as I lived there for a few months.  In the summer, it has some really fantastic vegetables for sale in various farmer market’s across the state.  In fact, did you know they produce two-thirds of the world’s supply of eggplants?  It is a small state and consists of only 7,836 square miles with a population of just over 8 million persons.  There are only 4 states smaller in size but yet it ranks 9^th in population density.  Perhaps its most famous citizen was Thomas Edison.

It also has lots of reasons to live there.  They have world class fishing, skiing, trekking, gambling and another g-word - gardens.  It is the Garden State.  Did you know that most of Ellis Island is in New Jersey?  Check out New Jersey and discover a life that has amazing opportunities.
 

VILLAGIO MODEL GRAND OPENING THIS JULY
South Brunswick Township, New Jersey

Inspired by the villages of old world Italy, Villagio is truly a unique community in South Brunswick, from the creative minds at Byron-Hill Homebuilders. The new, beautifully decorated model homes will be an elegant complement to Villagio’s entire layout. A gorgeously landscaped boulevard entrance will lead you to the community’s own Main Street, where neighbors will gather around the grand piazza style fountain to relax and socialize. Avenues will be lined with old world cobblestone curbs and flowering ornamental urns. Pathways will wind through the community, weaving past beautiful reflecting ponds and connecting to vast open space.

Spacious home designs blend functionality with Italian architecture. Floor plans feature true two-stories, up to 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and up to 4,200 square feet of living space. An expansive foyer, a 2-car garage and a set-up for an optional elevator add convenience and style. Center-island kitchens are well appointed with fixtures and appliances from respected manufacturers. Formal dining rooms provide an elegant environment for entertaining guests. Homebuyers can choose from an array of personalizing options including basements which can be designed to include a lap pool, gym/dance floor, media room, oval office and lounge with wet bar!

Club Verona, Villagio’s extraordinary clubhouse, will be the social centerpiece of the entire community, housing an array of recreational activities. Enjoy an invigorating workout in the gymnasium, or by playing a rigorous game of tennis or bocce.  When you’re done, take a refreshing dip in Villagio’s sparkling swimming pool. Or simply grab your bike and take a relaxing ride around the cycling path that will expand the perimeter of this elegant community.

Many active adults today are choosing to continue their careers and Villagio’s premier location in South Brunswick is ideal, providing immediate access to the Route 1 corridor and Princeton. Villagio is strategically close to many urban areas, including New Brunswick, Philadelphia, New York and Atlantic City via the NJ Turnpike or by train. Convenient train service to New York and Philadelphia is available from nearby Princeton or Monmouth Junction.

Byron-Hill is one of the premier builders of luxury homes in New York and New Jersey. The developer’s communities all embody Byron-Hill’s unparalleled expertise in developing the highest levels of design distinction, comfort and quality essential to truly upscale living.

To visit the Villagio Sales Center from the Garden State Parkway, take Exit 130 to Route 1 South. After 18 miles, turn left onto Route 522 East. Go approximately 200 feet and turn right onto Stouts Lane. Villagio is ¼-mile on the right (42 Stouts Lane). From the NJ Turnpike, take Exit 8A (Jamesburg/Cranbury). Turn right onto Forsgate Drive. Take Forsgate to end and turn right onto Route 130 North. Go 1 mile and turn left onto Route 522 West. Go 3 miles and turn left onto Stouts Lane. Villagio is ¼-mile on the right (42 Stouts Lane).

Discover more about the Tuscany way of life in New Jersey and how you can be part of this exciting new concept in active-adult living at Villagio. Request more information or to learn more about the Villagio Grand Opening coming this July by calling (732) 329-4200; or visit www.villagio55.com.

The Villas at University Centre
Rockford, Illinois
Single Family, 1120 - 1600 sq. ft.
Price range from upper $130's
The Village at University Centre s a maintenance-free lifestyle community. The community features a Clubhouse, walking path, and Gardens.  Emphasis is on providing an enjoyable, carefree lifestyle in a maintenance-free community.  Leave behind yard work and exterior home maintenance. The beautiful lawns, trees and plants are groomed for you. When the snow comes you will not have to worry - your sidewalk will be shoveled to your front door.  Click Here for more details

Emerald Lake Village
Oceanside, CA
Resale Modular Homes, 1200 - 1600 sq. ft.
Homes Priced from High $300's
This friendly and beautiful, award-winning, gated community is unlike anything else in North San Diego County. These 161 detached, modular homes attached to permanent foundations are Cape Cod style, and all have garages. The homes were built in 1989.   Although Emerald Lakes is a quiet neighborhood, there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy if you wish. In addition to the party room, there's a billiard room, small library and swimming pool.   All this and just a few miles to the ocean!   Click Here for details

Four Seasons at Temecula Valley
Murrieta, CA
Single Family Homes 1743-2773 sq. ft.
Homes Priced from $264,000-$575,000
Four Seasons by K Hovnanian is found in the best Southern California Communities. This one located in Murrieta just on the outskirts of the beautiful Wine Country of the Temecula Valley has been strategically positioned for your enjoyment of all the valley has to offer. Designed for active adult living, this community has all the amenities you would expect for resort-style living. Being a little smaller than some, around 500 homes, it allows each resident more opportunities to participate and to know their neighbors and to be completely informed.   Click Here for more details

Pacifica at Real Del Mar
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
Luxury Condominiums, 823-2390 sq. ft.
Priced from: $145,000-$345,000
The resort style gated community will encompass 80 luxury condominium homes situated on top of a hill overlooking its very own Central Park, the Real Del Mar 18 hole Championship Golf Course, the Coronado Islands and the Pacific Ocean.  Click for more details

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