FLOURISHING IS WHAT GEORGE DOES BEST.


The 74-year-old long-time Long Island resident moved to Steeple View Lofts in November, following an impressive 42-year career as head gardener on a private estate, where he built botanical gardens, oversaw 12 full-time gardeners and multiple greenhouses, and cultivated flowers and vegetables.


“For a horticulturalist, it was a dream job,” George shared. W


hile there, George undertook a monumental task – hybridizing rhododendrons. “Rhododendrons tend to be the same boring colors on the east coast,” he explained. “But


on the west coast, where it never freezes and it’s damp all the time, the colors are unbelievable. So the idea was to get those vibrant colors into hybrid plants that would flourish on the east coast. And I did.”


George successfully hybridized rhododendrons and now some of his plants are flourishing at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY, and at Longwood Gardens, in Chester County, PA.


Following the sale of the estate, George knew it was time to find a new place to thrive. At the time, his son, daughter-in-law and four-year-old granddaughter lived in Bryn Mawr, PA, and George wanted to be closer to his family.


“I came to Lancaster to look for a place to live and thought it was amazing. It’s kind of like a fairytale town,” George said. “I wanted to be in a city where I could walk to places and have neighbors. Downtown Lancaster was perfect.”


Initially, George planned to live in a townhouse in Lancaster City and began his search for a home, but quickly discovered that the townhouse he envisioned – one with a downstairs bedroom and a backyard to plant gardens – would be tricky to find. So he pivoted his plans and began to explore apartment options instead.


His sister, who works in real estate, flew in from California to help him look for a place to call home. “We walked into an apartment at Steeple View Lofts and my sister said, ‘Take it,’” George remembered. “I love it here. Right away, I liked the high ceilings and the big windows. Living on the fourth floor gives me a great view of the horizon.”


Perhaps the best part of life at Steeple View Lofts is that George now gets to enjoy the experience of living in the company of his much-desired neighbors, many of whom also cherish active lifestyles and the walkability of the city.


George also joined the Lancaster Downtowners and frequently goes on walks with other members. George’s personal goal is to walk four to five miles each day.


He experiences the Landis Communities value of stewardship through the work of the Steeple View Lofts Care Navigator who helped him find a primary care physician, explained insurance, and introduced him to the Silver Sneakers program.


In his new environment, George has continued to flourish - doing all the things he loves most! 16 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2025


CULTIVATING GROWTH


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