At Brooksby, It's Easy to Stay Active

When Tom and Jacki Bracewell were preparing for their move to Brooksby Village, an Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass., they packed a must-have for their active lifestyle: a slender, 13-foot, orange-and-white tandem kayak.

Originally from Framingham, Mass., the Bracewells have lived in several states, including Virginia and South Carolina, where they decided to upgrade from renting a kayak to buying one for their frequent outings. 

"When we moved to South Carolina, it was such a beautiful area for boating--of all kinds--that we decided we probably wanted to buy one," Jacki says. "But on one group outing, the wind turned, and I needed a tow. So, we decided on a tandem kayak."

Now, thanks to the efforts of Brooksby staff members, Tom and Jacki have a kayak rack in the gazebo parking lot, making it easy to get out on the water whenever they please. 

Staff support

A few years ago, while visiting their daughters who live near Brooksby, the couple stopped by the community to see some longtime friends--and were impressed by the large, bustling campus.

"I thought, 'Whoa! This is so different! It's more of a college campus than a senior community,'" recalls Jacki, pointing to a number of advantages that made Brooksby stand out.

"One is the number of residents. There are enough that you will find people you relate to, who enjoy what you enjoy," Jacki says. "You're also going to find people doing something you've never done that you might want to try--and find a new passion. And most of the activities are resident-inspired and resident-run."

The Bracewells were eager to get involved with everything Brooksby has to offer, but they had one obstacle: their tandem kayak. They mentioned the importance of their kayak to Sales Director Gina Fernandez, who worked quickly to meet their wish. 

"They were the first residents to move in looking for kayak storage," Fernandez says. "In networking with sales directors at other Erickson Senior Living communities, I found we had several communities with kayak storage, and that storage solutions were inexpensive and simple to install. Tom had also sent me a few links to different kayak storage options. After some planning, the kayak rack was purchased and installed by the General Services team."

So much to do

Kayak packed, the Bracewells were ready to continue their active lifestyle at Brooksby. Soon after their June 2023 move, Tom and Jacki were out and about in the community--indoors and out. 

Jacki, a quilter, joined the quilting and knitting group. Also a nature lover, she and two friends now tend to one of Brooksby's 120-plus garden patches.

"This campus is just wonderful for the birds and wild plants," Jacki says. "Plus, we have easy access to the Peabody Rail Trail. It couldn't be better for people who like doing outdoor things."

Meanwhile, Tom is enjoying area golf courses and exercising his musical talents. He started singing with a Brooksby barbershop ensemble--even before they moved in. Tom is also a member of the Brooksby Singers chorus, and he sings at Singers' Night, a popular biweekly event where singers perform show tunes and favorite songs. 

"Recently, my friends and I started a trio that sings early music, such as Renaissance madrigals. We have performed in the chapel with other classical music lovers," Tom says. "There are bunches of opportunities for doing and creating new things. That's part of what makes Brooksby so neat. Find folks who want to do something and start doing it."

On the water

And, of course, Tom and Jacki have been kayaking every chance they get. They love exploring the natural wonders around Brooksby, such as nearby ponds, lakes, bays, and wildlife refuges, including Horn Pond.

"There are endless numbers of ponds here and there to explore," Jacki says. "Last summer, we put the kayak on the car and drove up to Michigan's Upper Peninsula."

"And visited the Finger Lakes in New York on the way back," Tom adds.

"It's nice that we have our kayak handy," Jacki adds. "When spring comes, we throw our gear in the back of our car. Then, in the morning, if it's a beautiful day, we can easily put the kayak on the car and go off for a couple hours."

It's even said to be a great relationship builder.

"We were kayaking on a South Carolina river when we passed a dock restaurant," Jacki recalls. "A gentleman hollered hello and said tandem kayaking was better than a marriage counselor. In other words, if we can kayak together, we'll stay together!"

'The right formula'

Without the stress and responsibilities of maintenance in their residence, Tom and Jacki are making the most of the community's active lifestyle. 

"We cannot sing Brooksby praises more than we do," Jacki adds. "For active people like us who want to stay fully involved in life, Erickson Senior Living communities have exactly the right formula."

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Brooksby Village, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.