Friendship—The Key to a Vibrant Retirement at Linden Ponds

From informal get-togethers to dozens of clubs and activities, residents at Linden Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Hingham, Mass., have plenty of opportunities to make new friends and socialize with neighbors. 

"One of the best things about living at Linden Ponds is the ability to engage with the people around you, drawing joy from shared experiences," says Community Services Manager Molly Lynch St. John. "Residents can be involved and socialize as much as they wish. There is never any pressure, only open arms and warm smiles!"

'Very engaging'

Kenneth 'Ken' Scott found that out firsthand shortly after moving to the community from the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Mass., in March 2023. He made his first meaningful connections while enjoying breakfast at the Harbor Cafe, one of four on-campus restaurants.

"As a newbie, I was eager to meet people," says Ken. "I noticed a few residents having breakfast together and asked if I could join them. We easily started chatting. Soon enough, meeting together for breakfast became a daily occurrence. I think it's such a nice, natural way to form a group."

In fact, this informal gathering of residents who call themselves "The Breakfast Club" continues to draw in passersby eager for conversation, advice, and fellowship. 

"Linden Ponds residents are very engaging," says Ken. "The group began with two or three friends and has grown to a group of 12 to 15 residents. When we see new people wandering around or looking uncertain, we engage with them, asking them to join us, or, if our table is filled, to sit at an adjacent table. This engagement is so important. All of us were new once."

Getting involved

As Ken discovered, dining at Linden Ponds' restaurants is a great way for new residents to get to know their neighbors and discover shared interests. In many instances, it also serves as an opportunity to learn more about the abundance of clubs and activities. 

"Over breakfast, I learned about the men's discussion group and decided to check it out," says Ken. "We meet each Wednesday for a free-flowing discussion on a variety of topics, including conservation, the Electoral College, and artificial intelligence." 

He adds, "And, although the Linden Ponds trips are widely posted around campus, a resident sharing that they enjoyed a really good trip encourages others of us to take the trip."

Ken notes that their breakfast discussions even result in new ideas for getting involved in the community.

"We talk about all kinds of things—health care, politics, family, and life at Linden Ponds," says Ken. "There are all kinds of people with all sorts of connections among us. I'm on the resident dining committee, as a result of a discussion over breakfast. Many of our members serve on other Resident Advisory Council committees. We share information with each other, and in doing so, receive a lot of important feedback to implement."

Community of friends

In addition to enjoying a delicious meal and sharing community information, members of "The Breakfast Club" also support and celebrate each other.

"As a group, we keep in contact with each other when we are sick or in need of support," says Ken. "One of our members was recently in rehabilitation following a fall. She shared with us how much she couldn't wait to get back, so that she could join us again." 

He adds, "We also celebrate each other, making sure to recognize each other's birthdays. It's all part of being a community." 

An important part of that recognition is often a beautiful cake made by Alicia Green, a member of Linden Ponds' Dining Services team, who makes fanciful cakes as a hobby. For a recent birthday, Alicia created a cake that looked like fried eggs and pancakes with maple syrup and butter. 

"The cake was amazing. It really looked like a breakfast plate. Alicia is very talented and provided us with a wonderful excuse to eat cake for breakfast!" says Ken.

"'The Breakfast Club' is a wonderful example of how naturally informal groups of residents can come together to learn from and share with one other," says Lynch St. John. "There is almost limitless opportunities to connect with friendly neighbors, and these connections can make all the difference in the world."

To learn more about how you can embrace a vibrant, social lifestyle in retirement, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.