2023

Ann's Choice is now 20 years old this year! On July 31 we started our 20th anniversary celebrations. Our Executive Team, Veteran's Club and members of the 20th Anniversary Committee joined residents in the Performing Arts Center to begin the 20 Days of 20 years Celebration on July 31. We found out more about our upcoming 20th Anniversary events and met our new mascot, Bart the Owl. The owl represents the wisdom of our residents and Bart was named after Bartholomew Longstreth, an early resident of the land that Ann’s Choice was built on. This was followed by many different events for 20 days, from Crazy Hat Day, a Mummers group, special Ann’s Choice trivia, the Kona Ice Truck, Dunkin’ Donut Cruiser, scavenger hunt and many more activities.

We have seen some exciting changes in 2023. The pandemic has faded and masks are optional but recommended in large groups. Ann's Choice has added a Dog Park in 2023 for the many residents owning a dog. Our resident computer lab moved from Lewis Pointe on the terrace level to a section of the Joan Greenberg Reading Room located near Signatures restaurant.

Some of our activities have been discontinued, notably ACLLA, French Club, Joan and Barbara Clubs, Just 'cause Breakfast Club and Nightingales (Nurses Club).

Many new activities have been added:  the Mensa Club (for members of Mensa); Act III Players, Singers and Speakers; Boomer Social Club; Central High School Alumni; Falcons and Flowers Alumni Club; Feather and Fur Babies Pet Club; Sign Language; Ann's Choice Walking Club; Ann's Choice Film Club; Second Saturday Cinema; Ann's Club (support group); Drums Alive; Pickle Ball; Disc Golf; Cornhole Club; Let’s Laugh Club and Wellbeats Virtual Fitness. Our Literary Ladies Book Club has changed its name to Readers Choice Book Club. In the Chapel, a new quiet meditation space opened in the Side Chapel. 

Ann’s Choice celebrated Oktoberfest with a fundraiser for the Benevolent Care Fund. Tickets were $10 and participants received food voucher tickets for lunch which included a variety of donuts, hotdogs, sausages, French fries, German potato salad, beverages, and German chocolate cake. An accordionist wearing leiderhosen serenaded residents with German polkas and songs from the Sound of Music. Chances could be taken on a wide variety of baskets.

Also in early October, 10-year, 15-year and 20-year residents were treated to a delicious brunch and received their new pins designating the year they joined Ann’s Choice. Our mascot, Bart the Owl made an appearance and posed for photo ops. 

Grab some popcorn, movie-streaming is coming to Ann's Choice! Soon, we will be able to stream feature films from over 1,000 movie-production houses in any public area of the community that is equipped to project video. Erickson Senior Living obtained an umbrella license with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation for all of our communities. Thank you Erickson Senior Living! 

We closed out 2023 with good news. The Marketing Department announced that we welcomed over 250 new residents to Ann's Choice. The independent living sales goal of 178 settlements was achieved and the community ended 2023 with strong, favorable to budget financial performance. Our Rose Gardens skilled nursing achieved 5-star status by Medicare as did our Erickson Advantage health plan (4 years in a row!). 

For questions or comments, contact Marge Schwegel at 

margeschwegel@hotmail.com