Primrose residents ride in Parade van

Primrose van in Irish Parade

Kathy Walker throws candy at Parade

Lima, OH, Senior Living

The Primrose Bus was full for the Irish Parade in Lima Ohio on Saturday, March 10. We have participated in this parade for five years. The residents enjoyed joining the huge parade route and waving as celebrities. A lot of family members and staff joined us with candy and toys for the sideline children. A wonderful addition were Ben and Charlie, our Lima resident dogs and they were a big hit with the families on the parade route.

by Larrain Benroth
Lima Primrose Life Enrichment Coordinator

To find out more about senior living/apartment homes at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Richard Gleason, Jay Sain, Lillian Neiswander, and Marketer Pam Fried

Pauline Orchard feeding the ducks

Barb and Vince Megaro enjoying a day at the lake

Lima Senior Living

What an amazing time we had as we headed to the lake house of one of our lovely residents. The bus was full of excitement as we travelled there and we reminisced of days gone by and what being at the lake as a kid was like. Upon arrival, Larrain and Pam set up a special lunch table and set up chairs around the lake. We fed the various birds who were begging and we so enjoyed sitting in the sun and waving at the boaters going by. Some of us stuck our feet in the water and remembered being of an age that we would have jumped in without hesitation. We ate and ate and ate and took mini naps and could not have enjoyed ourselves more. What a day at the lake-house!

by Larrain Benroth
Lima Primrose Life Enrichment Coordinator

To find out more about the senior living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose residents Mickey Jackson (l), and Pat Cheney

Lima, Ohio, Senior Living

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the 15th installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

Living at Primrose, there are too many wondrous things to write about our Primrose Home. I don’t know where to start.

First among the many subjects I could write about is our staff!! They really are like family to us; friendly, kind, helpful, considerate, etc.

We feel very fortunate to have such a beautiful building to live in and doubly fortunate to have a marketing director who keeps Primrose beautiful all year long. On the Holidays – you’d think you were in New York City at the Plaza!! Every Season is different!

Our Activities director is outstanding! I don’t know how anyone could possibly out do her planning our days-morning- noon and night. She not only plans all the concerts plays, dinners, traveling, trips, prizes, Church & civic events, shopping, games, ice cream socials, with lots of entertainment. When she isn’t doing that she is conducting classes in writing ”How To Write Your Memories” making beaded bracelets, and key chains, painting, etc, and working with the city Flower Club, who come and teach us so many different and exciting things you can do with flowers, bulbs, violets , arrangements, etc.

We even made beautiful artificial arrangements for our own doors out in the hallway for the different seasons. A lot of us did not know we have so much talent.

People are happy here and it’s because this staff is happy. They laugh and dance and pat us on the back, compliment us and listen to us.

When serving us our meals they bend over backwards to please us and if someone doesn’t like what they are having to eat, our server will very graciously go get them something else.

We feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful and talented chef. I pray he never leaves us. He must have been raised in Ohio, because he knows what we like in the way of food! And how it is prepared. Excellent!

Everything is clean appealing to the eye-tasty, hot or cold, however it is supposed to be( which is very well done with the amount of people that need to be satisfied 3 meals a day).

I would go on and brag about our best maintenance guy in town, best yard care and outside ambiance when you approach this place it is top notch! High class. And that, kind reader, is called happiness! Come see Us!!!

By Pat Cheney
Lima Primrose

To find out more about the senior living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose residents Mary Ellen and husband Dick Myers

Senior Living Findlay, Ohio

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the 14th installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

My husband and I met at the Union Terminal in Cleveland, Oh in December 1943. We were married in April 1944 and had 63 ¾ years. After we both retired, we started traveling with the Retired Teachers Association of Findlay. Dick was a “photographic Bug” and after every trip they had a show and tell show. We covered seeing the United States with them.

We started spending time in Florida and purchased a home and lived there 23 years before returning to Findlay. Over those 23 years we covered a lot of land with the help of the tour director. We actually visited 26 countries plus islands in the Caribbean, Pacific and Mediterranean Seas. We had 3 trips thru the Panama Canal and took a trip on the Rhine River in Europe.

We wanted to see as much of the world as possible. There were four places we didn’t see, Norway, Sweden, China and Japan. We had reservations for China but had to cancel because of the killing in one Square in China.

The trip to the Holy Land was so inspirational. We had 18 or 20 university students on the trip. They were very nice young people. They were tired of some of the food and asked if there was a McDonalds and the tour director said yes. We were headed to see more places and were stopped on the highway, had to turn around. The bus driver said he knew the roads well and we got where we wanted to go.

Switzerland is a beautiful country. When in school I loved to read about Switzerland and to be able to see it brought me back to my school days. The tour guide gave us so much information. Plus they had the tastiest chocolate pudding I have ever eaten.

In Brazil we toured the opera house in the Manous and it was fabulous. We took a trip down the river and stopped at a village and really saw animals, birds, and people. When we left Manous we stopped at Devil Island where France sent their worst criminals to die. It was such an experience to see the conditions, etc.

While in Australia, we took a trip hoping to see koala bears in their habitat. We stopped as one bear was trying to get from one tree to another. I got out of the bus and talked to him. He finally got to the other tree. We then went to a beach to watch the penguins come in out of the ocean. We sat on the beach and all of a sudden you could see hundreds of penguins come on shore and walk past the people so they could get to their home on land. What a sight!

While in Mexico City, we took trips around different areas. The tour guide had the bus stop sometimes and he got bananas and finger food for everyone on the bus. Never had that happen before. He said after our tour, he’d go to Las Vegas and hope to have good luck. His wife made a small gift for all the people.

On our tour all across Canada, we had dinner in Western Canada. Dick and I finished early and went to take a walk. All of a sudden a young girl came up beside me. She started asking all kinds of questions, plus telling us about her family. I asked what she thought she would do after she graduated; she was a sophomore at the time. She said she wasn’t sure but it would be something involving helping people. We started back to the bus and Dick and I stopped because there was traffic. She said “come on, they will stop for you” and they did. She walked us back to the bus and said good-bye and “I love to help old people”. We had several moments that just made the trips worthwhile. The only thing Dick and I had a problem buying our souvenirs as he collected belt buckles and I collected charms.

When back in Ohio, Primrose had this facility and we took a tour. Then in a couple of days we came back with a list of questions and we made our decision basically because of our age and our daughter and grandson were in Findlay. The facility is very nice and we have met some wonderful people here.

by Mary Ellen Myers
Findlay Primrose

To find out more about apartment homes at Primrose, travel to your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Art LeSage

Duluth Senior Living Communities

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the 13th installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

I moved up to the Duluth area in April of 2009 after my wife had passed away. I had been living in a senior independent living complex in Alexandria for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. I moved from there to another “independent living” complex in Duluth which was spacious and nice for the first year and they decided to change things. It became more like a nursing home.

I had heard about Primrose through my daughter and so I decided to check it out. I made many unexpected visits to this place and was always welcomed. I was invited to a wine and cheese party to tour the building.

The staff was fun and nice. The apartments seemed like home to me. They have all kinds of activities here and treat us like adults with life left to live not like a place to park while we die. I love the staff and am very happy with my move.

by Art LeSage
Duluth Primrose

To find out more about the senior lifestyle at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Tory Alexander

Lima Senior Living Communities

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the 12th installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

Years ago as I was living here at Primrose, my husband Alex was living at home at the time. He surprised me one day.

He came over and told me he was going to move to Primrose so we could be together. He was getting tired of living alone. So why not make the change.

He soon showed Carla that he was not one to sit around as a resident. She started him painting the wood work and he was good at showing others around the building. Primrose was new and still had work to be done. He spent many hours painting halls and spent time looking for good movies for those that watch them on Saturday.

My husband liked to play pool with Al in the Pub/ Game Room. Alex was a people-minded person he wanted to do right by others.

Alex had two types of cancer and he kept that to himself, but he kept going and doing things to help keep his mind off of it. He may be gone but he loved it here. I enjoy Primrose but I see myself slowing down. I would not think of leaving here. I would tell anyone that I have been here all these years and have never had a bad moment, I love it here.

by Tory Alexander
Lima Primrose

To find out more about the beautiful people at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Jane Donovan

Duluth, MN, Senior Living

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the eleventh installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

I do miss the good old days when I lived in my own home, but as I look out at the snow falling on the gazebo, I relish in the thought of all my new friends and my cozy apartment here at Primrose. One of my favorite things is that the Garden Club was able to have a butterfly garden — YES! We planted WEEDS! The monarchs came and we all enjoyed them!

by Jane Donovan
Duluth Primrose

To find out more about the cozy lifestyle at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Betty Britton Estes

Lima, Ohio, Senior Living

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the tenth installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

When my husband passed away in the year 2000 I sold our home and went to a senior living condo. I only stayed there for two years, because my rent raised $400.00 a month in that 2 year period. I decided to find another place and did for practically the same thing and half the price I had been paying.

I was in that condo for nine years. Every Monday I fix meals to heat up all week in the microwave. On March 26, 2011 I went to the hospital then to the Nursing home for rehab. I was back and forth to the hospital five times and then the nursing home 4 times.

While there my family checked out retirement homes and narrowed it down to two. I chose Primrose which they said was actually their choice also.

When I left the nursing home on July 28, 2011 my family had already moved my stuff in. I am very happy here. Everyone is so kind and pleasant. The staff is wonderful as are the other occupants. I have not met anyone that is rude or mean. No longer do I eat leftovers for a week.

There is always something going on. I have learned a lot of new games which I love doing. There are music programs. We have our own ice cream parlor, movie theater, pub, hair salon, exercise room and library. I get my cleaning and washing done. So what more could you ask for?

When people ask me how I like it? I tell them if you have to be in a retirement home Primrose is the place to be!

by Betty Britton Estes
Lima Primrose

To find out more about senior apartment homes at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Nancy Van Loon

Wasilla, Alaska, Senior Living

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the ninth installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

The Primrose flower is a delicate flower that grows only in warmer temperatures than we experience here in Alaska. However, the residents at Primrose Retirement Community are of a hardier nature.

We have many activities to keep us busy and there are many places to visit. This past August we had a “Vegas Night”. We had belly dancers all evening that performed for us and the crowd enjoyed the show. We had food and drinks for everyone and “pretend” gambling for those who wanted to “pretend”. No money was involved just wonderful prizes. The dancing was great and we had an “Elvis Impersonator” who encouraged all the ladies to sit on his lap for a picture.

We have one resident here who celebrated her 100th birthday last year. Her family hosted a wonderful party and the local paper took pictures and reported the festivities as a big success.

We also have a group of ladies who have made it their business to knit baby hats for all the newborn babies at our local hospital. The new mothers appreciate them and I’m sure the babies look adorable as only newborns can.

On the first Tuesday of every month, we host a “Senior Breakfast”. We offer a variety of breakfast foods and if you are over 55 you are certainly welcome to join us.

We also have sponsored a “Soup and Pie Luncheon” to which the public was invited. Our cook made three kinds of delicious pies that were enjoyed by a full house.

Our Christmas party this year was dubbed “A Christmas Gala” and all residents were invited to dress up for the evening’s activities. Santa Clause took the evening off to be with us and was very popular. Several ladies got their got their pictures taken with the “big man” and he enjoyed that activity as much as the ladies.

by Nancy Van Loon
Wasilla Primrose

To find out more about the senior living lifestyle at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Primrose resident Margaret Carspecken

Wausau, Wisconsin, Senior Living

[Welcome, gentle reader. This is the eighth installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

Beautiful surroundings, interesting residents, helpful supportive staff, stimulating programs — these are some of the highlights of Primrose Retirement Community.

It is indeed an attractive place, with cozy little sitting rooms spotted here & there where residents can pause and visit together, or cuddle up with a good book in front of a fake (but so real looking) fireplace. The décor is first class, and gives you a pleasant feeling just looking at it.

Then I get ready to go to the attractive, classy dining room, I say to myself, “ I wonder whom I will be sitting with today,” and knowing the conversation will be interactive, stimulating and informative.

Need my hair washed and set or cut? Go to the talented hairdresser, Deb on the 2nd floor. Need a ride the doctor, or to play bridge, or a church meeting during the week? Contact Ed, the friendly, accommodating, Primrose Bus Driver. He’ll take me wherever I need to go.

Here I am at Primrose Retirement Community. I think I died and went to heaven. How lucky can I get?

Ah yes, I forgot to tell you there is a nice little oasis area with comfortable sofas, tables, an aquarium, coffee, and a variety of juices for relaxing in this heaven I now call home. Two guest rooms on the second floor will accommodate visiting residents and friends, when available. Come see us and you’ll be impressed.

by Margaret Carspecken
Wausau Primrose

To find out more about the nice oasis at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!