Traditions of America

Category: 55+ Lifestyle

Traditions of America at Silver Spring Hosts Special Live Better Now Event

It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon in May! Traditions of America at Silver Spring, a Harrisburg PA, 55+ active adult community, recently hosted a Live Better Now event that had ALL the fixings to make for an enjoyable and informative experience for our guests.

In a unique and hands-on fashion, guests were able to take an in-depth look at all facets of this exciting active lifestyle community – right from the moment they arrived. With their cars neatly parked by awaiting valets, they rolled up their sleeves and dove into the Live Better lifestyle.

The Live Better “Loop”: With a limousine bus at the ready, visitors could hop on and ride from the Clubhouse to the Welcome Center, then on to the fully decorated and award-winning Adams and Hamilton Model Homes. But, there was more to see: from there they embarked on a full community site tour, including the newly released lots.

Out in the field, there were ongoing Energy Efficiency demonstrations conducted at home currently under construction. Frank Cirrincione, Community Manager at Silver Spring, provided an up-close look for folks wanting to hear more. He covered the latest energy-saving building practices that every Traditions of America home is built with: Timberline architectural roof shingles, engineered beams, joists and trusses, strapping and anchoring that exceeds regional code requirements, corrosion-resistant poly water lines, insulation of exterior walls on the inside and out, a 90% plus energy-efficient HVAC system, Argon gas-filled double pane insulated windows with low-e glass, to name a few! Frank fielded a flurry of great questions by visitors who were eager to learn even more about these features.

Vince Salvitti was on hand to enlighten guests about the exceptional Traditions of America Buying Made Easy programs, meeting with groups and one-on-one to answer questions. Carrie Malles from Wells Fargo gave a presentation on mortgages and Susan Feltenberger from Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC offered an informative discussion about the HECM for Purchase program.

Jan Firestone, a Designer at Silver Spring, was holding court in the Design Studio talking about design trends and answering questions for those who wanted to know more about the design process and how easy it is to customize a home at Traditions of America and start living better!

It was also a great day to enjoy life’s little pleasures. There was white wine tasting in the Lincoln Model Home and red wine sampling in the Franklin Model Home. A full array of delicious food kept everyone happy – along with homemade cupcakes and make-your-own ice cream sundaes!

Food is more fun with ACTIVITIES! You name it, we had it at the five-star, award-winning Clubhouse! Cards, crafts, Tai Chi, Bocce ball, Pickleball, Golf Putters, free back massages, and so much more! To cap it off, an eager and welcoming group of Silver Spring homeowners – our beloved Ambassadors – proudly gave personal tours of the Clubhouse and shared their own experiences about the Live Better lifestyle at Silver Spring. They also enjoyed sharing information about special clubs they have started, from the hiking club to the fly-fishing club and the infamous Silver Spring “pillow case club”, a group of devoted crafters who pin, sew and iron pillow cases for the Children’s Hospital at Hershey Medical Center!

You don’t have to attend a special event to experience the Live Better lifestyle of Traditions of America at Silver Spring, call 717-766-9557 today to schedule a personal tour of this active adult community.

by Betsy McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing

May 25, 2017
Bethlehem, Home to Saucon Valley, Earns Coveted Spot on Forbes Top 25 Places to Retire List

If you are 55+ and call Bethlehem home, you should be giving yourself a well-deserved, congratulatory pat on the back. If you are not a Bethlehem-er, or, in technical denizen jargon, a Bethlehemite, you need to become one, and fast!

Forbes Magazine recently confirmed what those who call Traditions of America at Saucon Valley home already knew, when it unveiled its notorious Top 25 Places to Retire List and the city of Bethlehem – for the first time – was chosen as one of THE BEST places to retire in the United States.

To develop their list, Forbes sifted through data on 550 communities in all 50 states (even Alaska), identifying places that provide the best retirement value—and, not surprisingly, housing costs and taxes weighed heavily in their selections. However, it was a combination of many factors that pushed Bethlehem into the upper echelon of this ranking, including its low cost of living (6% below the national average), a median home price of $152,000 (which is below the national average), good air quality, high walkability index, low crime rate, high physicians per capita ratio, and state income tax benefits (Social Security and most other pension and IRA payouts are exempt from state income tax).

Digging deeper, we learn that Forbes’ review of economic factors is broad. According to the article:

“Since most Americans now say they expect to work for pay at least part-time in retirement, we look for places with low unemployment and a solid, preferably growing economy. That’s a good thing even if you don’t want to work, since it tends to support rising home prices, which will matter should you ever sell your home. So, we take into account both unemployment rates, as compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and future economic growth prospects as gauged by a Milken Institute study of 401 metro areas.”

Forbes strongly considers the tax climate for retirees when creating this list. Fortunately, Pennsylvania stands out as an exception to the norm in this category when compared to its neighbors in the Northeast. In Pennsylvania, social security income is not taxed, withdrawals from retirement accounts (401(k)s and IRAs) are not taxed, and public and private pension income is not taxed. In addition, the average total sales tax rate in Pennsylvania is among the 20 lowest in the country.

It’s hard to quantify the “intangibles” – the cultural attributes and scenic beauty of an area – but to make the Top 25 list, a city must have “something else” going for it besides the numbers. Forbes admits to a slight penchant for college towns, which usually translates into increased cultural and learning opportunities. Not surprisingly, the picturesque gem of Bethlehem, which is lucky to be home to Lehigh University and Moravian College, fit the bill in this category, too!

Across the US, Baby Boomers are fast approaching retirement age – a unique and exciting time because it provides the chance to relocate to a city or town with lower costs and one that better suits a new lifestyle—an ACTIVE lifestyle focusing on recreation, culture, education, volunteering, being closer to family, or even working part time.

Discover for yourself what makes Bethlehem special when you visit our active adult community Traditions of America at Saucon Valley.

See the full Forbes list here.

by Betsy McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing

May 4, 2017
A Reason to Celebrate: Summer Seat’s Grand Opening

In true April Fools’ Day fashion, Pittsburgh delivered a winter-like day with temperatures in the low 40s and gray, wet skies. It was a day for winter coats, muck boots, wool hats and warm gloves.

But, that didn’t deter over 200 enthusiastic folks from coming out to Traditions of America at Summer Seat’s Model Home Grand Opening! Located in the bucolic North Hills of Pittsburgh, Traditions of America’s newest 55+ resort-style, active adult community unveiled six stunning model homes, along with its signature Welcome Center and Design Studio.

The popularity of Traditions of America at Summer Seat has been overwhelming, with Phase 1 selling out in record time. Along with the Model Home Grand Opening, Summer Seat’s newest phase of homesites was offered for the first time!

Visitors were treated to great food, music from a DJ, and over 500 cups of coffee, hot chocolate and tea, while they toured the model homes, met with homeowners, and climbed into gators and golf carts warmed up and at-the-ready for site tours. With clipboards, highlighters and maps in hand, 15 new homeowners selected their homesite and will soon call Traditions of America at Summer Seat home! Add that to the more than 40 who have already chosen to take advantage of the Live Better lifestyle of Traditions of America at Summer Seat and it is well on its way to becoming the most exciting 55+ lifestyle community in the North Hills!

By all accounts, the crowning jewel of the day was the reaction of visitors to the spectacular Model Home designs. From the deep greens and pastels of the Jefferson model to the nature-inspired warm tones of the Betsy Ross home, guests were wowed by the award-winning layouts and the array of finishes and colors so artfully displayed in the six Model Homes. In the refined, rustic look of the Washington, with its neutral colors, rich textured fabrics and dark metals, it was easy for visitors to imagine themselves Living Better!

In each Model Home, visitors also had the opportunity to talk to “Ambassadors” – current homeowners at Summer Seat, and nearby Sewickley Ridge, another popular – and recently sold out – Traditions of America community. Patty Ann McLaughlin, a New Home Counselor at Summer Seat, remarked that guests especially enjoyed meeting and talking with the Ambassadors because they have hands-on experience with Traditions of America’s building process, the one-on-one design experience and they love sharing the countless benefits and highlights of a Traditions of America 55+ active lifestyle community. The Traditions of America New Home Counselors and Designers, along with a dedicated team of management and staff, all played a role in making the day a huge success!

Visit the website to discover more of the exciting happenings and how you can Live Better at Summer Seat!

by Betsy McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing

April 21, 2017
How to Raise Your Home’s IQ

How “connected” is your home?

Home technology has become the new norm in home building today. New smart home features not only save homeowners’ time, they can also save considerable money and energy. But, do not fear; smart home technology is not just for the tech-savvy, gadget-collecting guru. If you have a smart phone, you can bring your home into the 21^st century with just a few swipes. Traditions of America is on top of the trends and offers several smart home features to homebuyers within our 55 and over communities.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting is now a snap. The Caséta® Wireless system by Lutron, a package that is offered in all Traditions of America homes, is cutting-edge and the leading product on the market for lighting new homes.

The system allows you to set the right light for any activity, such as bright for reading or dim for entertaining, from anywhere in a room using a remote control. You can save your favorite lighting scenes and activate them with a single touch. Caseta® also allows you to control your lights from wherever you are – home or away – with an app on your smart phone or tablet. You can use the app to schedule lights to turn on or off at a set time every day. When the seasons change, you don’t have to worry about changing the schedules. They’ll automatically adjust throughout the year! And, with Caséta®, your home will look lived in even when you are away on vacation.

It doesn’t stop there. The Caséta® system is expandable for enhanced ambience and even greater convenience. With an upgraded package, you can close window shades with one touch by choosing Lutron automated, battery-powered shades for your windows. Raise and lower shades without getting out of bed! Away on vacation? Raise and lower your shades from wherever you are!

Smart Thermostats

Your home keeps you safe, warm and comfortable.

But, what if it could do more?

What if it really got to “know” you? And what you liked? Imagine if it could help you.

Incredibly, Nest Learning Thermostats® do just that. A Nest thermostat actually learns the temperature you like when you’re home and then turns itself down when you’re away. You can also adjust the thermostat from anywhere – home or away – with the Nest app. Nest Learning Thermostats® are offered at all of the Traditions of America communities to help you achieve the Live Better lifestyle.

Knowledge is power. Learn about your energy usage. Check your energy history on your phone to see how much energy you use and why. Nest® learns how your home warms up and even keeps an eye on the weather to get you the temperature you want when you want it. The Nest® is so smart it even awards you a “leaf” when you choose a temperature that saves you energy, based on the conditions that are unique to your home.

Like the Lutron Caséta® system, the Nest® system is also expandable. When you add more Nest products to your home, they automatically work together, raising your home’s IQ to levels not even dreamed of a decade ago. Expandable upgrades, such as Nest Protect®, include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that think, speak and alert you in the home and on your phone when there is a problem, even pinpointing where the problem is.

Smart Safety

Security and convenience is now at your fingertip – literally – with Kwikset’s Kevo System® innovative key technology. With a Kevo® bluetooth enabled deadbolt, your smartphone becomes your key. Simply keep your phone in your pocket or purse and just touch the lock on your door to open.

Simple!

And, no matter where you are, you can remotely provide temporary access to those who need it! Another amazing convenience feature is the ability to send eKeys via your smartphone to friends and family so they can use their smartphone as a key, too. No smart phone? No problem. You can still enjoy the same “touch to open” feature with the convenience of Kevo’s key fob.

Talk to a New Home Counselor today to learn more about these exciting new technology features available in a Traditions of America home near you.

by Betsy McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing

For More:

Lutron Caséta® Wireless “Welcome to your Caseta Wireless smart home” brochure

Nest Learning Thermostats® “Welcome to the thoughtful home” brochure

Kwikset® “Welcome to your new home” brochure

February 14, 2017
Holiday Happenings at Sewickley Ridge

The Pittsburgh area abounds with holiday festivities, and Traditions of America at Sewickley Ridge homeowners have easy access to enjoy all that the area has to offer. It’s not too late to purchase tickets for some of these great holiday traditions. Read on for a sampling of the season’s special events.

One of the finest Nativity scenes of its kind can be found at Carnegie Museum of Art, through Jan. 11. A Pittsburgh holiday tradition, the “Neapolitan Presepio”, features figures handcrafted by artisans between 1700 and 1830.

Don’t miss the magical Winter Light Garden and Flower Show at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens through Jan. 10. Enjoy the beauty of nature combined with spectacular lights and decorative displays. Visit the website for hours and entrance fees.

There is still time to take your grandchildren to see the PittsburghBallet Theatre’s (PBT) acclaimed production of The Nutcracker at the beautiful Benedum Center. Performances run through Dec. 27. To order tickets visit the PBT website.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir…The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra delights kids of all ages — from 1 to 92 — with their annual Highmark Holiday Pops concert. Tickets are still available for performances on Dec. 19 and 20 in Heinz Hall.

When you call Sewickely Ridge home you can enjoy all this and more! Our final neighborhood is now selling- visit our website to learn more.

By Traditions of America Marketing Team

December 17, 2015
A Season (and year) of Thankfulness

As you prepare to gather with friends and family to give thanks this holiday season, we at Traditions of America are thankful for all who have helped make 2015 a wonderful year.

We’re thankful for those who joined us as we marked special milestones for our communities, including the Model Grand Opening at Saucon Valley and the Clubhouse Grand Opening at Sewickley Ridge.

We’re thankful for the new homeowners we’ve welcomed to our communities as they begin an exciting new chapter in their lives.

We’re thankful for the dedication of our Traditions of America team members who help our homeowners create and build their dream homes.

And we’re thankful for our communities that come together to help others and support their larger communities through food drives, fundraisers and so much more.

We wish each of you a holiday season filled with things to be thankful for and fellowship with friends and family and look forward to making more memories in 2016. What are you thankful for? Be sure to share it in the comment section below.

Happy Holidays!

By Traditions of America Marketing Team

November 23, 2015
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Spotlight

The Traditions of America Trekkers continue to measure their steps to help raise awareness, logging more than 9,963.6 miles.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. The Foundation also reports that for many who are diagnosed with breast cancer the prognosis continues to improve due to early detection and regular screenings.

Here is another story of a Traditions of America homeowner and survivor. Homeowner Jeannette shares:

“On October 4th I celebrated my 25th anniversary of being cancer free.

I was 42 years old and being treated for an over-active ovary when my doctor suggested that she do a breast exam. She felt a small lump on my left breast. My family has a strong tendency to have benign lumps so I was not overly concerned when I went to visit the surgeon. We scheduled the surgery for a Friday so that I could have the weekend to recuperate and return to my job on Monday.

I can’t tell you the fear I felt when I received that phone call from my surgeon telling me that I had cancer. When the pathologist from Harrisburg Hospital sliced the tumor to examine it under the microscope, it exploded, so he was not certain if the tumor was cancerous or not. My surgeon insisted that the other 3 pathologists at the hospital review my slides and give him their collective opinions. They decided I had a “component” of cancer.

Back in 1990 I was one of the first women in the Harrisburg area to have a lumpectomy. I had 6 months of chemo and 37 radiation treatments given at the same time. Today, chemo and radiations are done consecutively, not at the same time.

I continue to remain diligent with my breast exams and yearly check-ups with my doctor. I am thankful that I am a survivor.”

Be sure to check back regularly to learn about the progress of our Trekkers and learn more stories about our homeowners.

October 25, 2015
Trekking for a Cure and Thinking Pink

Traditions of America has a longstanding history of supporting our community through a variety of charities that are near and dear to the hearts of homeowners and team members alike. In the past we’ve participated in marathons, walkathons, fundraisers and more. This month, 275 homeowners at Traditions of America’s 55+ communities throughout Pennsylvania are coming together and walking to shine a light on breast cancer as a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

These Traditions of America Trekkers are measuring their steps each day using special pink pedometers. Each week we’ll record and share updates on how many steps and miles they have walked as a part of this effort. We will also share stories of those within the Traditions of America family who have been personally impacted by breast cancer.

Below is the story of cancer survivor (and Silver Spring resident) Kathie.

“I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in January 2003. I traveled to Johns Hopkins for surgery in March, where I had a lumpectomy. Ten lymph nodes were also removed and a sentinel node biopsy was done.

I started the first of eight chemo treatments (one every three weeks) on Memorial Day weekend 2003. By the end of January 2004, I was finished with 30 radiation treatments. But in June and December 2004, mammograms showed “suspicious calcifications” in my left breast again!

As a result, in March 2005 I had a double mastectomy. I went through months of lymphedema myofascial massage therapy so I could raise my arms again to direct my music.

In honor of my 60th birthday — and to celebrate my 10th anniversary as a breast cancer survivor — my daughter and I participated in the Susan B. Komen 3-day, 60-mile walk for breast cancer in the Philadelphia area, September 12–14, 2014. I want to thank TOA and my many friends and relatives for their support throughout this journey.”

We invite you to join us in our efforts to raise awareness by sharing your own stories and celebrations. To do so just become a blog subscriber and share your story using the comment form at the bottom of the blog page. You can also support your local Traditions of America community by cheering on your neighbors and other Traditions Of America homeowners who are taking part in Breast Cancer Awareness activities by visiting Facebook and “Like”ing their activities.

October 11, 2015
Loving Lititz – Community Update

“I can’t wait to start cooking in my kitchen – I love the design of the big cabinets and the convenience of having the refrigerator, stove and microwave at my fingertips. My new kitchen is a dream come true!”
Janet Grosh – New Homeowner

There are many exciting things happening at Traditions of America at Lititz as more homeowners move in every week. Janet and her husband Bill are two of the newest homeowners who recently moved into their new Hancock Single Family home.

They are leaving behind a larger home with a significant amount of upkeep and are looking forward to the low-maintenance lifestyle Traditions of America at Lititz provides. Janet and Bill look forward to spending more time relaxing at their Sea Isle City condo. They love the convenient location of their new home, as well as the access they will have to many resort-style community amenities.

Construction is underway on the luxurious Clubhouse, complete with Fitness Center, heated Pool and Sports Bar, with the Grand Opening slated to occur later this year. A variety of Garden and Single Family homes are offered, there has never been a better time to experience Living Better with Traditions of America at Lititz.

Visit our website to learn more about the Lititz Lifestyle today!

By Traditions of America Marketing Team

September 21, 2015
Discover Traditions of America at Bridle Path

Whether you are looking to enjoy unique dining experiences, musical performances or the great outdoors, you’ll find exciting summer destinations and activities just around the corner. Home to Traditions of America at Bridle Path, Bethlehem is known as the city of festivals, and the Lehigh Valley is home to a variety of parks that offer year-round beauty and recreation. The Traditions of America website offers a listing and map of these and many other area attractions. Read on for some highlights.

Upcoming Festival

If you enjoy Celtic culture and cuisine, don’t miss the annual Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival held Sept. 25-27 right here in Bethlehem. The event features more than two dozen musical performances, a whiskey tasting, and numerous competitions—including fiddling, traditional dance, song writing and more. Activities start at 4:30pm and go through late evening. The Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA) has been hosting this internationally known celebration of all things Celtic since 1998.

Local Parks

Put on your walking shoes and visit Big Pocono State Park in Monroe County, which consists of 1,306 acres with numerous hiking trails. The park offers scenic views of three different states. Or, grab your bathing suit, picnic basket and fishing pole and head to Beltzville State Park, in the southern foothills of the Poconos.

Bethlehem’s Top 10

But wait, there’s more! We have compiled our own listing of the Top 10 Reasons to Live in Bethlehem, PA. Take a look and discover local amenities, excursions and activities.

See the list below:
1. Arts and Entertainment
2. Shopping
3. Transportation
4. The Sands Casino Resort
5. Dining
6. Attention Sports Fans – Home of the Iron Pigs
7. Pocono NASCAR Raceway
8. Seasonal Outdoor Activities – Skiing, Hiking, Boating…
9. World Class Healthcare
10. The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail

In future posts we’ll share more exciting things to do in and around Bridle Path, as well as our other active adult communities. While our homeowners have plenty to do without ever leaving their own Traditions of America neighborhood, it would be a shame to miss out on all that Pennsylvania has to offer!

By Traditions of America Marketing Team

September 10, 2015