Entertainment is All Year Long at Maris Grove

Plenty of entertaining opportunities on campus add to a vibrant lifestyle. 

Maris Grove , a senior living community in Glen Mills, PA, developed and managed by Erickson Living , is an entertainment hub all year long. Whether they're hosting an intimate in-home gathering, large-scale banquet, live performance, or holiday celebration, residents of this amenity-rich community find entertaining easier than ever.

According to Senior Manager of Resident Life Todd Sullivan, residents are active and vibrant, and they love to create meaningful events for friends and family. "They may have retired from their careers, but they definitely haven't retired from having fun," he says.

"Maris Grove has an array of venues for hosting on a small or grand scale," he continues. "The theater, private dining rooms, restaurants, banquet rooms, and chapel provide space for virtually any kind of gathering. And with an array of support services available right on campus, residents can, and do, take full advantage of everything we offer."

Dan Lessard, Manager of the Blue Sky restaurant, also noted, "All of the culinary, set up, and audio-visual support teams work together to help residents make their entertaining ideas a reality. Whatever they need, we're here to assist, so they can enjoy their events as much as their guests do."

Neighbors Entertaining Neighbors

The resident-run talent show is one example of how Maris Grove entertains on a grand scale. Held each spring in the Cardinal Theater, the highly anticipated show features singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, and storytellers. Other community members play strong supporting roles on the backstage crew, handling the box office, and ushering patrons. 

"This show is a real community effort that generates tremendous excitement," says Todd. "Residents write the script, design the musical numbers, create the costumes, and have a blast doing it. We assist with lighting and sound in the theater to help them produce a professional quality show."

He adds, "The talent on our campus is amazing, and this is the perfect showcase for their gifts. Everyone loves being a part of it, including the Maris Grove staff."

Veterans Club Tailgate Party

A different kind of highly anticipated show takes place on the second Sunday in December: The Black Knights of West Point and the Midshipmen of Annapolis face off in search of gridiron glory, celebrating a rivalry that began in 1890. (If you're keeping score, Navy leads with 60 victories to Army's 52.)

For the past three years, the Maris Grove Veterans Club has hosted a tailgate/viewing party featuring good food, good fun, and more than 100 good friends and guests.

Ed Sobieray, an executive board member of the club, came up with the idea in 2016. "I thought it would be a wonderful way to celebrate our service and the game," says Ed. "But we quickly realized that preparing the food and setting up the venues was too large a task. Maris Grove answered the call with all the support we needed."

With beautiful entertaining spaces at their disposal -- and with a major assist from Maris Grove's catering , general services, and restaurant teams -- the veterans can focus on the festivities.

"Everyone does a phenomenal job with the menu, set-up, clean-up, and airing the game. They make it easy to host a memorable party," says Ed.

The club uses the large Catering Room, which comfortably holds more than 100 people, and the theater, where the game plays on the giant screen.

"This is the perfect set up. Everyone can move easily between the two spaces to enjoy the food and friendship, both of which are abundant," says Ed.

He adds, "For the record, the service provided by Maris Grove is always great! No request is too much for them. The food is absolutely delicious, and we don't have to lift a finger. Everyone rolls out the red carpet for us, and we really appreciate all the hard work they put into this event."

Celebrating the Holidays

Rita Korn, an active member of Maris Grove's Jewish Community Club, echoes Ed's sentiments about Maris Grove's outstanding support teams. Her club hosts an annual luncheon each fall to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. This year, 115 attendees gathered in one of the community's restaurants to enjoy a lavish lunch prepared and served by Maris Grove staff.

"The holiday has great cultural and religious significance," says Rita, "and enjoying food with family is central to it. Some of our members live far from their families, so this luncheon creates the warm atmosphere they've known all their lives. We could not do it without the full support of the Maris Grove staff. They are absolutely wonderful."

This year, event co-chairs Joyce Baar and Rita, worked with the Ministries office to create a festive invitation. Once they had a final headcount, they met with Lessard to create a menu featuring traditional Jewish foods – bagels, lox, cream cheese, whitefish and egg salads, blintzes, and apple cake for dessert. Club member Terry Sokoloff, an experienced baker, provided other desserts to usher in a sweet and happy new year. 

"Restaurant Manager Dan Lessard is an angel sent from heaven," says Rita. "Anything we asked for he made it happen. He set up the buffet tables with beautiful linens and creative displays. Everything was perfect. All we had to do was come and enjoy."

Entertainment All Year

In addition to these special events, the Maris Grove calendar is packed with fun activities every day.  From live performances to movies, residents have the opportunity to enjoy entertainment just steps from their front door without having to leave campus. To learn more, visit marisgrovecommunity.com or schedule a tour today by calling 1-800-431-0828

Maris Grove 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. 

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About Maris Grove: Maris Grove, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 87-acre campus in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,600 residents and 740 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 Maris Grove can be found at MarisGroveCommunity.com .

Photo: Maris Grove hosts a resident-run Talent Show on campus each year. Here, members of Evie Jacobs' Dance Group kicked up their collective heels to "Red Hot Salsa."

Story written by Dorrie Anshel