Traditions of America

Tag: active adult communities

Traditions of America at Silver Spring Residents Living Better Every Day!

Making the move to a 55+ active adult community is a big decision for most people as they approach their retirement years. There will be more free time, as work commitments change or become less. For some, this is a new-found freedom! And, very exciting.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, David Ekerdt, professor of sociology and gerontology at the University of Kansas, suggests “…Let retirement be retirement. Studies of people who pass from work to retirement consistently find that they prize sovereignty over time—freedom—as the great gift of their new stage of life.”

Residents at Silver Spring say “Bring it on!” Jon Evans, Lifestyle Director at Silver Spring, publishes a weekly newsletter of “goings on” in the community. A quick glance at the latest edition – which was a whopping 11 pages long – confirms that Silver Spring residents are taking advantage of their “freedom” in diverse and rewarding ways.

The Spring 2018 Golf Tournament is front and center on the agenda, along with the start-up of the spring Bocce league. The Men’s breakfast club is in full swing and the Ladies Lunch date for May has been set at the popular Thea restaurant in Mechanicsburg.

Early May is synonymous with some time-honored celebrations…and Silver Spring knows how to roll out a party. First up is the Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour with games, prizes, a BYOB and BYO special dish to share. On its heels is the crowd-favorite Kentucky Derby party! This year, residents have planned a BYO Bourbon for mint juleps. And, of course, there will be games, trivia, a hat contest, and derby food – as The Run for the Roses gets underway.

Book Club devotees are busy with new assignments. There are pottery class signups, interior decorating seminars to attend, and a class on smartphone photography has been brought back a second time due to popular demand! The “Brew Crew” has trips planned to the Harrisburg Senators Baseball game and Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works. The Kayak Club has several trips on the books with Susquehanna Outfitters. The next trip features an evening float to take in the beautiful central Pennsylvania sunsets from the water. As the weather warms up, so does the activity in the outdoor pool; water aerobics signups are right around the corner.

For thespian-minded enthusiasts, Silver Spring has its own acting guild – the Silver Spring Players Group. Next month’s production is a play entitled “Love Letters” featuring two of Silver Spring’s own residents: Bob Hervey and Kathy Sundberg.

And, we close this entry with a recent comment on our Facebook page by Kathy Sundberg herself: “Lived here for almost 10 years. Love our house, our neighbors, and the lifestyle. Best move we ever made!” That about sums it up! Discover the Live Better lifestyle at Traditions of America at Silver Spring and all of the Traditions of America communities!

April 30, 2018
Traditions of America at Cranberry – the latest and greatest Community coming to Pittsburgh’s North Hills!

Traditions of America is gearing up for its newest community! We are excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of Traditions of America at Cranberry in Pittsburgh’s bucolic North Hills. This is the first ever 55+ Community in Cranberry Township!

Traditions of America at Cranberry will feature 102 Single Family, low-maintenance homes nestled on 48 acres of serene, rolling countryside. The location is minutes from Cranberry’s first-class shopping, recreation and medical services.

Location, location, location: with interstate highways nearby, and the Pittsburgh International Airport and burgeoning arts, dining and sports scene of downtown Pittsburgh only a short drive away, Traditions of America at Cranberry is perfectly positioned for ease and convenience. Heading in to the city to see the Pirates or Steelers play couldn’t be easier!

Traditions of America at Cranberry will showcase best-in-class architecture and the ability to create your DreamHome with our professional designers and renowned customization program. The 24/7 Clubhouse will feature a brand-new, state of the art design by KTGY Architecture. Among the highlights are a Fitness Center, Exercise Room, Sports Bar & Lounge, Business Center & Café, Seasonal, Heated Pool, and more!

The Clubhouse is the quintessential setting for forging new friendships, exploring new hobbies, getting in shape or hosting a party for friends and family in the catering kitchen. There’s always a reason to come together: book club, Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Kentucky Derby, your favorite community service project, or just a regular Friday night Happy Hour. You decide!

You are sure to Live Better from day one! Traditions of America at Cranberry – our 25th community – and it just might be our best yet!

April 6, 2018
What to Expect When Buying a New Home with Traditions of America

The goal of everyone at Traditions of America is ensuring our customers are WOW’ED by their new home from day one. At each stage, our team works diligently to make the process of building and customizing a home in one of our active adult communities smooth and trouble-free. We’ve developed a tried and true approach to homebuilding that delivers a great experience for our 55+ buyers. Here’s a snapshot:

1) Touring your new homesite with your Construction Manager and New Home Counselor is the first exciting step to ensuring that the home we deliver is the home of your dreams. This initial meeting – the Homesite Walk – sets the stage for the ways you can enhance your outside living areas given the grades surrounding your particular homesite.

2) Equally important is the very first design meeting with one of our professional Designers. During the Initial Design Meeting, you will be introduced to the endless opportunities for customization of the finishes and unique features of your home.

3) Next, the fun begins with a series of Design Meetings. Rolling up your sleeves with the Designer and selecting both structural and design features for your home is exciting. If you want to move a wall, now is the time to do it!

4) At the Pre-Construction Meeting, the Project Manager will meet with you to review the entire building process, introduce you to the construction team, review your selections and confirm the construction schedule.

5) Next up is the Rough Inspection Meeting, which takes place 2-3 months prior to settlement. After framing is complete and utilities and insulation are in place, you will tour your new home to again verify your selections and confirm the completion schedule. At this stage, your home is really beginning to take shape and you can start to see the possibilities for Living Better unfold before your eyes!

6) The 45-Day Review, which occurs 45 days before Settlement, consists of a thorough home inspection by our construction team. Following the inspection, you’ll receive a letter confirming your move-in date.

7) The Quality Assurance Inspection occurs next where a rigorous inspection of every facet of construction is tested in your new home.

8) During the Energy Inspection & Testing, which occurs approximately 10 days before Settlement, an independent auditor will inspect your home for proper insulation and conduct blower door testing for airtightness. At Settlement, you’ll receive an independent energy certificate based on the results of the testing.

9) Orientation – one week before Settlement! The excitement is mounting as you tour your new home with a member of the Construction Team and your New Home Counselor. All the features of your home will be demonstrated during the Orientation.

10) At the Pre-Settlement Inspection, you’ll do a final walk-through ensuring that your home is to your liking and any minor cosmetic items identified along the way have been resolved.

11) Rest assured, our commitment to quality doesn’t end at Settlement! At the 60-Day Inspection, a Customer Service Representative will meet with you in your home to identify and correct and concerns that may have arisen in your first two months since Settlement.

12) The One-Year Inspection is an additional opportunity to review any necessary warranty work or other questions you may have about what has hopefully become your DreamHome!

Start your path to Living Better now. Visit a community! Meet with a New Home Counselor. Talk to a Designer. Living Better is really that easy in a Traditions of America active adult community.

March 14, 2018
Traditions of America at Summer Seat Residents are Living Better Everyday!

A quick glimpse at the weekly newsletter from our active adult community Summer Seat speaks volumes. With the organizational expertise and creative energy flowing from the desk of Lifestyle Concierge Gayle Mayes, the activity calendar is full to the gills – even in the coldest of winter months and in just SIX short months since the Clubhouse held its Grand Opening last June! Social gatherings, community service endeavors, intellectual pursuits and the continuous formation of new committees and groups are happening every day in the Clubhouse.

Gayle has a unique talent of connecting with homeowners to find out what they are most passionate about and helping them form clubs around those passions. With the arrival of winter weather, indoor games are in higher demand from card games, dominos and board games to billiards and beyond. Recently, Gayle has had several inquiries about starting a knitting group and she has broadened that idea to also include crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch and any type of textile art! Get out your knitting needles…

Knitting not quite your thing? Is 500 Bid more your speed? Card games are in full swing at the Summer Seat Clubhouse. Gayle is currently sending out feelers to get a Poker game underway, along with Pinochle, Texas Hold’em, and more. Pull up a chair.

Feeling thirsty? Summer Seat’s newest club – “The Grape Nuts” – has you covered. The Grape Nuts meet monthly with a different theme for each meeting. Next up is “West Coast Red Blends” and all attendees are asked to bring a bottle from California or Washington for tasting and discussion. The charter members suggest using the Vivino App for selecting wines. The group would like to keep track of the wines tasted and create a log moving forward for reference. From the log, a book might be in the works for the Clubhouse Library with reviews from members for all to reference.

The diverse calendar also includes Friday night happy hours, interior decorating seminars, Bunco, weight training, a first annual chili cook-off party and contest, yoga, financial and estate planning, a travel club, an upcoming Mardi Gras-themed party, and the list goes on. In the works are a trivia night, Zumba class, Tai Chi, and a monthly book club. If you can dream it, Gayle will help turn your latest, greatest idea into reality. Come visit Traditions of America at Summer Seat and see for yourself how you can Live Better every day.

February 6, 2018
Traditions of America at Saucon Valley Residents Really Do Live Better!

A quick glimpse at the monthly newsletter written by the Saucon Valley residents speaks volumes. In just one short month, their community calendar is chockful of social gatherings, community service endeavors, intellectual pursuits and the formation of new committees and groups.

The calendars for December and January leave little down time! “First Fridays” feature a once a month “sandwich happy hour” at the Clubhouse. In December, the First Friday will comprise a Clubhouse decorating party to kick off the holiday season. Mid-December features the residents’ annual Holiday party. This year’s theme is the “Ugly Sweater” party where there is sure to be an amusing display of tacky woolen heirlooms to make for some hilarious photo opportunities. For the competitive party-goer, a prize will be awarded for the ugliest sweater. Plus, prior to the party, the residents have planned their second annual cookie exchange!

Also planned for December is the first annual Luminaria Night, an enchanting evening when neighbors will come together to line the streets with luminaria – white bags with votive candles glowing softly inside and sing carols. For the Saucon Valley residents, the lights lining the streets are a symbol of unity and caring for those less fortunate. The proceeds from the sale of the luminaria will be donated to New Bethany Ministries, a local organization that provides shelters and permanent housing for homeless families, along with daily meals.

Just in time for the colder weather, January features the second annual Soup Cookoff, followed by the Super Bowl party in early February. And, it seems as though it’s never too early to think about spring! The new “Down to Earth Garden Club” has scheduled its first meeting for early March! The club will maintain a list of garden equipment which residents can borrow from one another, and they are planning field trips and speakers to nurture that green thumb.

If a monthly book club isn’t enough, the residents have also organized a “Write Your Memoir” writing class with the help of a writing coach and facilitator from Northampton Community College. According to the group’s organizers: “by seeing your life through the lens of story, you can make sense of mysterious parts of yourself, learn how one thing led to another, and exercise your verbal mind with the invigorating practice of story writing.” In addition, story-writing builds community and connects neighbors in new and unique ways. We are proud that Saucon Valley has undertaken such enriching, rewarding and FUN activities!

December 1, 2017
Honoring our Veterans: One Community at a Time

On Saturday, November 11, Traditions of America communities across Pennsylvania honored Veterans in moving ceremonies with the raising of flags that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol and provided by Senator Bob Casey. In addition, each community undertook the commemoration in their own unique and personal style.

At Lititz, nearly 150 people turned out to pay their respects. The day began at the flagpole with the ceremonial raising of a new flag, and retiring the old. Befitting of the tradition, the venerable Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard performed the flag raising and lowering ceremony. The Honor Guard performed a three-round volley – where each member of the 7-member Guard fired a volley of three shots in succession. The flag ceremony was followed by a solemn rendition of Taps. The “Silver Singers” – Lititz’ own singing group – sang patriotic numbers and the “Sew What’s” group presented a commemorative quilt to the Veterans of the community.

Here are some fantastic photos shared by Becky Wise, the Lititz Lifestyle Concierge, that captured the day:

At Summer Seat, the Lifestyle Concierge, Gayle Mayes, engaged the community in a guessing game of sorts! She printed photos of each of the resident Veterans from their days in the service, but purposely omitted their names. During the “Meet & Greet” after the flag raising ceremony, she challenged all in attendance to guess who the veterans were in their service-time photos. It was a fun and engaging day for all!

Here are some photos of our revered Veterans in the Welcome Center and their certificates:

At Saucon Valley, it was a day filled with speeches and stories by the resident Veterans offering the community a special glimpse into the past. It was a wonderful way for neighbors and friends to connect and share their lives. Judy Parrey, Saucon Valley’s Lifestyle Concierge, who helped organize the event, shared some photos from the day, including a photo collage of the Veterans:

And, at Silver Spring a festive ceremony was shared by many family and friends. Jon Evans, the Lifestyle Concierge at Silver Spring, helped arrange the JROTC Color Guard from Cumberland Valley High School to post and retire the colors. Diane Wilburger, a Silver Spring resident, was on hand for patriotic piano playing, while Joan Brodisch, another Silver Spring resident, introduced the Keynote Speaker of the Day: Kathleen Gainey, LTG, Retired.

All across Pennsylvania, the skies were sparkling blue, making the perfect backdrop to honor our extra-special Veterans and the red, white and blue!

November 14, 2017
What Active Adults Want in their New Homes

Active adult communities offer today’s Baby Boomers many benefits: access to a variety of social and recreational activities, great locations, and freedom from mundane home maintenance chores. As this group of homeowners changes over the years, many communities continue to evolve to meet the constantly changing needs and desires of today’s mature homebuyers.

Transitioning from a principal career and raising children to this new phase is an exciting experience. This is also the perfect moment to look for a new home that is a better fit for this new lifestyle.

Here are a few features many active adults want in their next homes:

Close to Family

Today’s homebuyers have a choice of where they want to spend this new stage in life. Many prefer to stay close to family, especially grandchildren, so they’re able to nurture relationships. They also prefer to stay in their locale instead of rebuilding an entirely new network of friends in a different state.

Affordable Cost of Living and Access to Healthcare

While living near family is tops on the list, they also weigh other important factors like cost-of-living and access to their preferred healthcare programs.

Open Floor Plans with Outdoor Living Spaces

Not everyone is looking to significantly downsize their home. What they desire is a more efficient floor plan. Open floor plans offer homeowners the spaciousness they desire without the extra space. It also allows them to easily entertain family and friends.

They also want homes with outdoor living spaces, whether it’s an open deck or patio or a small private yard, that serve as an extension of the indoor living areas.

Access to Outdoor and Community Amenities

Unlike previous generations, today’s super-active adults seek access to leisure activities like tennis, swimming, golf and fitness centers, in addition to being connected to the community at large. They want to be close to shopping, dining, and other cultural activities, as well as other community services like libraries, parks or open spaces, and community centers.

Today’s generation of retirees are unique in this exciting phase. They’re starting new careers, going back to school, exploring new interests and even starting new families of their own. This dynamic group of mature homebuyers deserve to live better and we’re ready to provide exactly what they desire.

November 3, 2017
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