A CONNECTED, ROOTED & JOYFUL LIFE DOWNTOWN


B


ob Herr and Judy Zimmerman-Herr loved their little house in Lancaster on West Walnut Street. After serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Africa, they moved to the city in 2014 and began hunting for connections. It wasn’t long before they discovered the Lancaster Downtowners.


Tis vibrant, connected community of seniors was formed in 2008 and currently has nearly 200 members. Bob and Judy were attracted to the opportunity for a robust social life, and the resources and assistance for a myriad of activities. “We made lots of friends and connections,” Judy said.


Lancaster Downtowners Executive Director, Melissa Ressler, is excited about their upcoming educational series, Aging In Your Place. Te spring introductory sessions addressed planning, and the summer will focus on relevant issues like home safety and how to sell a home. Bob and Judy will be presenters in one of the programs.


Tough Bob and Judy loved their old house, they knew that some features of it might become challenges as they aged. Tey could have made renovations to the house, but that would have greatly diminished its character.


“We had a vision for the apartment we were hoping for at Steeple View Lofts: a specific exposure to the sun and on the third floor. When this one became available, we decided it was the right time to move,” Bob said. “We knew if we didn’t say yes, someone else would take it,” he added with a laugh.


Te Herrs moved out of their home on West Walnut Street and are pleased with life at Steeple View Lofts, especially due to the connections they have in the Downtowners community.


One of their most important goals in moving was to ensure walkability. “We rarely use the car now,” Bob said. “We walk most places, and it was a priority for socializing and entertainment to be done without needing the car. And aesthetically, this is just a beautiful place to live.”


“We are reliant on the network (at Steeple View Lofts),” Judy said. “It’s not just independence. It’s a connected, rooted, joyful life…It wasn’t difficult to embrace Landis values. We just found the right corner of Landis Communities for us.”


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2021 • 17


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