Traditions of America

Tag: lancaster county

Lititz Knows How To Live Better and Have Fun!

Residents at Lititz have been busy….busy having FUN and embracing the Live Better lifestyle. Rachel Bechard, Lifestyle Director at Traditions of America at Lititz in Lancaster, PA, provided a glimpse into some recent seasonal happenings at this active and popular community. An all-around favorite, the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, was a crowd-pleaser at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, the largest buffet in America. Residents rented a private ballroom for the event, and it was tons of fun! As they settled into their seats and were introduced to the cast (from Third Space Theater), they were surprised to learn that in this edition of the show, some members of the audience would be playing characters, as well! A dozen volunteers later, and the show was ready to begin.

Each person played their role beautifully! Some took their acting very seriously, like Lee Madison, who was one of the characters to die, and made sure everyone knew it. Bravo, Lee! The food was also amazing. With hundreds of options along the eye-popping buffet, there was something for everyone. We got 4 mini-intermissions to replenish plates between acts. Needless to say, by the time the show was over, everyone was not only entertained but completely full, as well! In the end, the audience uncovered the “murderer” (played by our own Sherrill Baumgartner), and everyone who correctly guessed her as the culprit got a prize. Lititz homeowners had a wonderful time and you can be sure that event will be booked again by popular demand.

Gearing up again for another favorite event, Lititz homeowners recently held their annual Chili Cook-Off. There were a dozen contestants and over 50 eager chili-tasters who showed up to sample and vote.

Four categories were judged in the contest: “Most Like Mom’s”, “Best Use of Spice”, “Best Decorations” and “Best Overall”. The decided winners were:

Most Like Mom’s: Chris Jensen
Best Use of Spice: Colleen Harris
Best Decorations: Julie Brouse
Best Overall: Betty Martin

With Thanksgiving around the corner and the holiday season and New Years Eve on its heels, Lititz residents will be sure to continue the celebrations and festivities!

November 21, 2018
Lancaster named the NUMBER ONE place to retire in the country by US News & World Report!

US News & World Report unveiled 2019’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S. last week and, my oh my, Pennsylvania did well! Florida and Texas cities also ranked well, but our very own Pennsylvania holds the TOP spot with Lancaster receiving the highest honors. And, we are proud! Another feather in the cap goes to Pittsburgh for ranking as the FIFTH best place to retire in the country.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, topped the list at No. 1 due to increases in housing affordability and the overall happiness of its residents. And, it’s no wonder. We hear all the time from our homeowners at our active adult community at East Petersburg that they simply LOVE where they live. And, that makes sense. Lititz is often warmly referred to as “America’s Coolest Small Town.” Editors at US News & World Report had this to say: “Lancaster offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate. Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city. A short drive can take one through each of these environments. Each area boasts its own unique groups of inhabitants: farmers, families, college students and young professionals. From close-knit church communities to the indie coffee shop scene, Lancaster holds something for everyone.”

Fort Myers, Florida, jumped from No.15 to No. 2 due to increases in desirability and happiness scores. Sarasota, Florida, fell from No. 1 to No. 3 this year due to a decline in both overall happiness and desirability. Austin, Texas, jumped to No. 4 from No. 9 due to an increase in desirability, followed by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, rounding out the top 5. Here is what the editors had to say about Pittsburgh: “Known by nicknames like Blitzburgh and Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying steel industry, Pittsburgh is earning another name: reinvention city. Since the steel mills closed in the 1980s, Pittsburgh feels cleaner and full of energy. Pittsburgh encompasses almost 2,000 acres of land in just its city parks, and offers county parks, state parks and riverfront parks to its residents.” Our residents at Cranberry, Summer Seat and Richland definitely reap the benefits of living so close to Pittsburgh, yet surrounded by natural, wooded areas and open space.

The rankings offer a comprehensive evaluation of the country’s 100 largest metropolitan areas based on how well they meet Americans’ expectations for retirement, with measures including housing affordability, desirability, health care and overall happiness. “Deciding where to retire is a big decision,” says Emily Brandon, senior editor for Retirement at U.S. News. “The Best Places to Retire offers a way for future retirees to make a more informed decision based on what matters the most to them. Whether that be housing affordability, access to quality hospitals or the desirability of a place in general, the rankings offer a comprehensive list that can point people in the best direction for their needs.”

This year, U.S. News increased the weight of the desirability metric from 10% to 15% as it provides a more balanced understanding of the opinions gathered through consumer surveys. Desirability is one of the six factors in the 2019 Best Places to Retire methodology that includes housing affordability, desirability, retiree taxes, the happiness index, job market and health care quality. These measures were selected and weighted-based on a public survey of pre-retirees (age 45-59) and retirement-age (age 60+) individuals across the U.S to find out what matters most when considering a place to retire. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as U.S. News rankings of the Best Hospitals.

Here are the top ten:

(1) Lancaster, PA, (2) Fort Myers, FL, (3) Sarasota, FL, (4) Austin, TX, (5) Pittsburgh, PA, (6) Grand Rapids, MI, (7) Nashville, TN, (8) San Antonio, TX, (9) Dallas-Forth Worth, TX and (10) Lakeland, FL. Another Pennsylvania city earning high marks was Allentown, PA in the Lehigh Valley coming in at number 18. The Lehigh Valley has been a long-time favorite area of Traditions of America, having completed several successful communities there with a new one on the way: Traditions of America at Green Pond in Bethlehem. Visit one of our communities today to see for yourself what the buzz is all about – you’ll be glad you did. And, get on the list to hear the latest news about Green Pond.

Sources: BuilderOnline.com October 10, 2018 article and US News & World Report 2019 Best Places ranking

October 16, 2018
Meet the Team Behind the Dream: Lititz Lifestyle Director Rachel Bechard

The philosophy at Traditions of America is completely customer-centric – we cannot rest until YOU are in your DreamHome. Working tirelessly, often times behind the scenes, our employees are truly the “Team Behind the Dream” and they enable Traditions of America to set the gold standard for 55+ living day-in and day-out. Our new “Meet the Team Behind the Dream” blog series is specifically devoted to highlighting the people who work hard to ensure our homeowners Live Better every single day in their DreamHome.

Cue Rachel Bechard – Lifestyle Director at Lititz. Read on to learn everything from Rachel’s most memorable career moment as Lifestyle Director to what superhero she would be … and more!

Q: Describe your typical day at TOA:

A: Every day is different, but it starts the same: listen to voice mails, check emails, answer questions, review the calendar. From there it can go from attending committee meetings to setting up for events. As Lifestyle Director at Lititz, I plan speakers and events, and I get to know the Lititz homeowners. I spend a lot of time listening to the homeowners – they are genuinely the coolest people. I’ve been in customer service my whole life, and the most important part of customer service is listening: getting to know your customer, their likes, dislikes. Getting to know the homeowners at Lititz has opened up a world of possibility when it comes to planning events, trips, and speakers.

Q: Favorite part of your job?

A: Planning and putting on events for homeowners. I love working with our social committee at Lititz to do fun, extravagant things! In February we had a Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance catered by Scarlet Runner (all locally-sourced, made from scratch gourmet catering). For Cinco de Mayo, a DJ came to our party and led group dances. This month we are turning our clubhouse into an Escape Room experience for Lititz!

Q: Most memorable moment in TOA career?

A: When one of our actors got sick and had to bow out of playing in our Murder Mystery production and I stepped in as “Simone Carlton” (THE MURDERER!) for our show!

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater; Rachel is third from right front row

Q: Career theme song?

A: “Eye of The Tiger”

Q: If you were a superhero, who would you be, and why?

A: Karin Murphy from The Dresden Files. She is tiny, fierce, loyal, and her “superpower” is that she’s just plain human. She’s able to face horrors beyond anyone’s imagination with grit and determination. She fights monsters and protects people. She is strong, noble, and always there for her friends.

Q: First job ever?

A: Bussing tables and rolling silverware for Hoss’s Steak & Sea House (the one right down the road from Traditions of America at Lititz!)

Race Against Racism 5k

Q: Where would we find you after hours?

A: At a local craft brewery or outside by the pool!

Q: Word that best describes you?

A: Heartfelt

Q: If your life had a movie title, what would it be?

A: “Tiny, but FIERCE!”

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three items, what would they be?

A: A boat to get back off the island, a pitcher of craft beer, and sunscreen (because your skin is your best friend!)

Q: If you could meet any historical person, who would it be and why?

A: Vincent Van Gogh. I’d love to tell him how much his art would shape future artists for generations to come. It seems so unfair that such a creative, talented human being died penniless, thinking he was a horrible artist, consumed by depression and loneliness.

July 10, 2018
Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown & Harrisburg Ranked Among the Best Places to Retire

When you think of places to retire, what locations pop into your mind? If you said Florida, you’re among many Americans who feel the same. But, you don’t have to move to Florida to live better in retirement! In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, five Pennsylvania cities ranked exceptionally high among the best places to retire in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report released its latest ranking of the top places to retire in 2018 and Lancaster ranked an impressive second in the nation, Pittsburgh ranked 8th, Philadelphia ranked 19th, Allentown was 25th, and Harrisburg ranked 38th. Rankings were based on index scores for overall happiness of residents, housing affordability, desirability, retiree taxes, the job market, and health care quality.

Lancaster County ranked highly for housing affordability and health care quality. U.S. News noted that it “offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate.” Our Lititz community is centrally located in Lancaster County and offers residents easy access to a variety of shopping, dining and cultural options in downtown Lititz and beyond.

Similarly, Pittsburgh was lauded for offering retirees a better value. Pittsburgh has become a hub for technology and education with ample green space and cultural sites. Residents also have a strong sense of community and independence. We have two 55+ communities in the Pittsburgh area: Summer Seat and Pinnacle at Adams, where retirees are raving about the live better lifestyle.

With Philadelphia ranked 19th and Allentown at 25th, our community at Saucon Valley has the best of both worlds: close proximity to Philadelphia with its eclectic mix of history, sophistication and charm, yet nestled within the Lehigh Valley, with the Blue Mountain range to the north and South Mountain to the southwest. Allentown’s convenient location, commitment to healthy living and celebration of the arts make it a great place for active folks to settle down.

Harrisburg earned its spot on the strength of the variety of outdoor activities, thanks to its proximity to many recreation amenities like the trails along the Susquehanna River and Riverfront Park, the Appalachian Trail, and more. Harrisburg is a metropolitan area with a small-town feel. Our Silver Spring community, in Mechanicsburg, is in Harrisburg’s backyard.

Thousands of homeowners call one of our many Traditions of America communities home. We strive to provide a world of opportunities for enjoying the lifestyle and home of your dreams and for living better. We invite you to discover all that we offer at TraditionsofAmerica.com.

October 16, 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