In March 2017, Sandra Stander and her husband Harold moved to Seabrook, a developed and managed Erickson Living retirement community in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, from Metuchen, New Jersey, to enjoy a simpler, maintenance-free lifestyle. Sandra brought many of her favorite roses and planted a beautiful garden on a large plot in the center of campus.
Recently, Sandra spoke about what she enjoys about her garden and living at Seabrook:
Tell us about your garden at Seabrook.
When I moved to Seabrook, I knew I needed to garden since that has been my favorite occupation over the past decade. I asked the Seabrook administration if I could donate a special rose garden to the community, and they said yes!
What is your favorite part of the garden?
All the residents, their family members, and staff who come to enjoy and support the garden. When it comes to plants, flowers, and vines, I love them all equally. They each have their moment to shine.
What is the best part of gardening?
Gardening to me is a wonderful combination of elements that I've learned to love over my lifetime. It's a beautiful combination of science - because one has to know how plants live and grow - as well as art, my college major. Much of my work life was spent in art galleries and museums. So quite happily my experiences came together in gardening – art, science and design. It has been an incredible revelation late in life.
What other activities do you enjoy on campus?
Like most gardeners, I am a relatively solitary person. But when I'm not, I enjoy the monthly sessions of Crystal Bowl meditation enormously and, most recently, I've really enjoyed a course in basic Physics given by one of the residents. So here comes science again and the universe and how things work. It's been quite wonderful.
Favorite part of living at Seabrook?
Seabrook's structure, if one is willing to take a chance and participate in different aspects of the community, can allow one to have an extremely balanced and peaceful life.
Seabrook is a not-for-profit organization, developed and managed by Erickson Living®. The community is governed by its own board of directors affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community.
About Seabrook: Seabrook, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 98-acre campus in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,400 residents and 750 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Seabrook can be found at SeabrookCommunity.com.