This is the place to share your creative thinking about our community --- its growth, its progress, its changes. Of course, not all "wishes" will be possible or feasible, but at least they can be shared.... and it's always possible that ideas that can't be done could lead to some that can. Join the fun by submitting YOUR creative thinking. 11/29/24 post: Label the cubbies in order so we can find someone's cubby!!! The current layout is driving us crazy. Pam B. 8/3/23 post: A Coffee Bar with more selections, perhaps a machine that would make and dispense mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, etc. What a lovely way to start the mornings or for an afternoon treat. Bea G. 7/7/23 post: I hope there are at least a few "blue skyers" out there who will join in these "Master Plan" discussions. This post is about our Bryan House since it's our corner landmark. I asked our own Hazel L. about an idea, since she was raised in that house, the 7th of 9 children. She was in favor. The idea: our country will have to import healthcare workers from other countries (legally, with hopefully accelerated procedures of the State Department). If we provided temporary housing to newcomers while they acclimate to their new country and surroundings, TVAB might become a sought-after destination. The Bryan House could be made into a dormitory, permitting these newcomers time to locate their own housing and roommates. Aldi's is close enough for walking or biking for those without cars. It could also be used as a place for our local staff to spend the night when bad weather prevents a safe drive home or coming to work the next day. Same "dormitory" possibility could be considered for a section of the Edgewood Building. Jennifer Y. 11/24/24 post: This is an update, almost a year and a half after the above post. The Bryan House is now guest quarters and quite popular. JUST IN CASE, if in the future a dormitory becomes advisable -- for staff who need to remain overnight or for legal newcomers who have come to our country as health care workers -- as a temporary place to live while they get "oriented" to life here -- to be located in a separate place on campus (for example, NOT in the apartment buildings), the Bryan House could be converted as mentioned above. New "guest quarters" for residents' visitors could be those apartments whose view is blocked by the construction of a new drive-through portico at the Village Landing. (This desire for portico has been mentioned elsewhere in the Master Plan Wish List.) Guest would have closer access to the Wellness Center and Dining if they were in a guest apartment. Those residents needing to vacate their quarters temporarily, say for for a re-furb or for a major repair, could use those apartment guest quarters.... after all, what if they no longer drive and use a walker or scooter? How would they get to meals or activities? Staying in the Bryan House may not work well for them, especially in inclement weather. Jennifer Y. 7/6/23 post: Received in response to first 7/6/23 post below: Overhead walkways can sometimes be good but they can also cause shadowed and dark areas below them if not located correctly. They can be a mixed blessing and take careful siting in order to avoid creating heavily shadowed areas and possible wind tunnels. I do agree that the Edgewood frontage could be made more attractive. One thought I’d mentioned to some previously, would be to expand the new or renovated health care buildings (including memory care) over the employee parking area, which would reduce the land use impact on the remaining open space off Brookwood. The negative might be the visual impact on Edgewood as well as the "neighborhood “ feel for long term assisted living and|or memory care residents . Barry C. 7/6/23 post: Related to a new "wish" that just came to the blog on 7/4/23 below and to comments on the Master Plan presented in the June 28, 2023 Coffee Hour: I know that pouring concrete is expensive, but with all the foundations being poured on Duncan Circle over the next several months, maybe they'll have enough remnants each time to widen that cited narrower part of the pond walk a little at a time. The Master Plan Wish List already had the desire for a sidewalk from the end of the "T" of the current apartment building to the pond -- right now someone has to step into the flower bed and between shrubs to get there from the west end of the Landing's parking lot. This also came up in the July 6 Property Committee, and it was acknowledged that it might be best to wait until the construction of the "Pond Apartment Building" (as it's currently dubbed) to see how that sidewalk might work out. Speaking of concrete, with new garden home people eventually driving over to eat or participate in meetings or programs, there may be more cars in the Square's parking lot. Could the architects keep the creation of a concrete pad in mind for golf cart parking --- using a small nook or cranny somewhere? Some new, future garden home residents (move in March 2024) recently stopped me as I came to the door at the Square, having seen me arrive in our golf cart. They're moving here from Florida and currently have two golf carts. They asked me about cart parking and where we stored our cart at home. There may be places for cart-parking "slabs" out back, near the pedestrian gate leading to the loading dock and dumpsters on the pond side .... that might keep carts from taking up valuable auto places out front. Back in 2018 I had emailed our then-Executive Director about this idea. The drive-by traffic on Edgewood Avenue would see golf carts and might think, "That looks like a fun community!" Right now drive-bys on a major street (Edgewood Avenue) see dumpsters and a loading dock, and only those who come on campus see the beautiful front entrance. Also, I hope that the architect firm that is selected for Phase 2 and 3 can consider skywalks -- enclosed walkways OVER traffic lanes. For example, a skywalk between the "coming soon" Pine Tree apartments and the Pond apartments (with living quarters starting on the 2nd floor of each anyway, due to surface parking under the buildings) would help permit between-building parking underneath; a skywalk from Pond Apartments to the current "end of the 'T'" of the present apartment building would permit a 2nd floor walk down two hallways of the current apartment building and then lead to a 2nd, new walkway on top of the present one (currently there). That would lead to an entrance into the Square building on the 2nd floor near the elevator next to the Meditation Room, across from Administration. To me, April's comment in Coffee Hour about sustaining the cited desirable feature of TVAB of "almost everything accessible without going outside" is an important point -- a real drawing card and would be a major distinction from Twin Lakes. For another 2nd floor addition to the present buildings, years ago I asked TVAB resident Dr. Robert H., PhD in construction engineering from VA Tech, to look at the Square's blueprints (Executive Director Mike W. obtained the prints). It was to see if the lower walkway going toward Heritage Place from the Gathering Place could sustain a 2nd story walkway on top of it. His answer: yes. This gives flexibility for moving Admin farther east on the 2nd floor, even as far as into the "old" Heritage Place, probably with a "jog," per Dr. H. This could permit the current Admin offices to convert to needed meeting rooms. Even a Chapel might be built over the present first floor below, off this new 2nd floor walkway and more-or-less over the woodworking shop and storage room. (You might get some resident donations for a Chapel --- you never know). I can't recall if the stand-alone Memory building is to be one or two stories. If two-stories, maybe a skywalk from Heritage --- to permit food to come from the satellite kitchen? Then you'd have open ground space underneath for staff and visitor parking there. Residents with family in Memory Care would probably drive over for visits. My mother's CCRC in Missouri had skywalks, and the east Texas CCRC where Jack and I resided built a 2nd story enclosed walkway over the top of its 1st floor walkway about 3 years after we moved here. That's all -- for now. I hope others will join the fun of sharing their thinking. Jennifer Y. 7/4/23 post: Widen the narrow sidewalk around the pond so it is similar to the wider part for the entire circumference. Right now if two folks using rollators encounter each other, someone has to step off the narrow paved walk. And in some areas it is quite steep and could be dangerous! Pam B. 6/25/23 post: I was out shopping in the heavy rain and was glad to anticipate my carport when I arrived home. I saw a friend who lives in an apartment and realized she will be standing in the rain to unload her purchases. My wish list item is for a covered entrance to Village Landing. Janet M. 5/29/23 post: We know we're about to "outgrow" the Gathering Place (Memorial Day Service as evidence), but there are a few occasions when a portable, fold-away dance floor might be better than the risk of dancing on carpet. Are those rentable, or would purchase be more feasible? If the sign-ups for a social event warrant, is there a place to rent smaller tables for seating, allowing for dance floor space? (Sometimes the large round tables are used, which create unnecessary footprint space.) Jennifer Y. 5/27/23 post: Perhaps a way to memorialize loved ones would be purchasing a brick with name, etc. embossed and create a Memorial Walkway on TVAB property. Dave M. 5/12/23 post: In preparation for a possible new apartment building in the meadow between Lakewood Ct and the current apartments, plant thick tall shrubbery NOW along the pine trees to offer some privacy to the garden homes on Lakewood. Pam B. 7/6/22 post: It's been mentioned below already, but go ahead and purchase a cage or whatever will work to lock up the liquor in the Tavern so that the room can always be open. Then it can be used for meetings, since meeting spaces are scarce to begin with. The Tavern can be used to watch sports events. With locked-up liquor, no staff presence necessary. Jennifer Y. 7/6/22 post: If we are "stuck" with the small Ford van with steep steps, no leg room, small seats, no arm rests, then explore an after-market pedestrian lift to get passengers up and in. There is nothing to grab ahead of you while climbing the steps into the van. There had better be someone behind you to prevent falling backward. Jennifer Y. 7/5/22 post: Believing that dining is a major item for resident wellbeing, we think that Lakeside Dining and The Pub should be open six to seven days per week. We understand the related difficulties, but we think the need justifies the work to do that. Bob & Holt B. 7/4/22 post: The path through the trees on the other side of the pond. It is gravel now. Might be nice to pave it so those with walkers or wheelchairs could use it.Moving the garden plots and adding raised beds, fencing and irrigation.The Portal. It has been promised over and over but it would be a great interface for the Villagers to have for daily schedules, the days menu, signing up for trips or classes, scheduling maintenance, etc.Finally the pickleball court. It would be great to have but if not, then the money that was donated should be used for something. Dave K. 7/4/22 post: It is becoming clearer every day that electric cars will become more and more popular. They make all kinds of sense for our population, and my next vehicle will be all electric. We need to develop a plan to make it possible for this to become a reasonable approach for our apartment residents, not just cottage dwellers. A friend of mine in Houston got an electric car 6 years ago, and his cost of operation is now 1/3 of what it was with his gasoline-fueled similar car. The time has come. Jim M. 7/4/22 post: I’d like to see us make better use of the Bryan House. It is right next door to me and I see NO activity over there! I believe it was being rented by a company that provided Home Care but they don’t appear to be using it. It would be ideal for “putting up” staff or other guests during weather emergencies, as suggested some time ago by Jennifer (and others) with bathroom facilities, parking, and even, perhaps, a skeleton kitchen. Some money was spent to make it useable prior to renting it out just a short time ago. It seems a shame to waste the space! Ginger B. 7/4/22 post: ​It would be nice to have a Morning Kiosk near wherever that Coffee Bar ends up. The Breakfast Kiosk could sell breakfast snacks such as bagels, breakfast fruits (apples, oranges, bananas), microwave breakfast sandwiches, small cartons of milk etc. It's proceeds would go to the Association as do the TVAB Shop proceeds. It would only be open in the morning.     It would be nice to have a specific parking area for golf carts and bicycles near the main entrance so that Garden Home people can drive them to meals or events. This will be even more important as the number of homes increase. Automobiles parking near the main building will become more difficult as we grow in numbers. Sandra B. 6/20/22 post: It would demonstrate forward thinking for management to consider creating staff "overnight" quarters here on campus. This could be a comfortable billet for when a few staff members are asked to spend the night due to forecasted bad weather. Examples: kitchen and caretaking staff to meet bare bones service requirements for the next day. Empty Edgewood rooms have been used for this kind of situation in the past; also, I heard of one occasion, before Edgewood was closed, when staff spent the night on air mattresses in the Wellness Center. Management will be addressing the re-purposing of the Edgewood building anyway, plus we've got the Bryan House that could considered -- two potential locations for creative thinking. Additionally, this country may need to import caretaking staff from other countries to handle the needs of aging Baby Boomers. Having available living quarters for the participants in that special work visa program might help as an attraction and be a retention factor. Some of those unique employees could even be bused to Well-Spring via some kind of internal CCRC-to-CCRC financial arrangement. Jennifer Y. 5/20/22 post: It would benefit residents, visitors, movers, etc., if there was a roof over the driveway at the Entrance to the Village Landing apartments, especially during inclement weather. Mary Kay R. 5/16/22 post: Install a sidewalk from the Northwest exit of the apartments, at the generator, to the walkway around the lake. This will make it easier for residents to get to the lake from that corner of the building. Gayle A. 5/2/22 post: We've heard the phrase "This is your home." Since outside food can't be brought in to the dining venues (5/7/21 memo), can there be a place designated/constructed for lunch groups to brown bag together -- a place to provide the desired socialization we tout? One's own residence might be too small, with not enough surfaces or chairs. Maybe a lunchroom off a vending area where snacks/drinks may be purchased? (Some residents with private caretakers from agencies have been asked where our vending machines are located, and we don't have any.) Creative thinking might come up with a win-win solution. Jennifer Y. 5/1/22 post: A "buzz up" entry system at the Landing's entrance. A visitor or caretaker can use their cell phone to call the "land line" phone number of the apartment resident, something they should already know. The apartment resident, with the visitor on the line, can then hit a button on their apartment phone that unlocks the Landing's lobby door. (Note: for security purposes, the apartment resident can make sure in talking to the visitor on the phone that no one else is around also seeking entry.) Jennifer Y. 4/21/22 post: Recomendation regarding the very poor acoustic environment in the ESCafe. According to the older residents the refurbishments of several years ago degraded the ability to dine in acoustic comfort. Part of that refurbishment was to REMOVE the carpet which just uncovered another huge hard surface that can no longer absorb noise—instead it reflects noise as a mirror reflects the light from a flashlight. According to Sarah P. our visiting AUDIOLOGIST, FAR TOO MANY of our residents have hearing losses (many severe) to ignore providing some remedies to absorb (dampen) these acoustic reflections and resulting reverberations that build up and drown out our ability to hear each other.Raising our voices drives the acoustic ambient (background) noise level even higher (far louder than need be). The acoustic design of those refurbishments was inadequate making residents struggle to hear and unnecessarily adding to the stress of old age and reducing our coping abilities at meal time while attempting to socialize. Jerry G. 4/16/22 post: A portable, fold-away stage for presentations in the Gathering Place. Westminster Shores of Tampa has one, so we can learn of its use and success there. Jennifer Y. 4/13/22 post: There are homebound cottage residents who no longer drive, have mobility challenges, but are not yet ready for residence "upstairs" Health Care. Offer a campus "shuttle" bus service to pick up and deliver them to an evening meal in a dining venue, at least twice a week. This could be for a fee, since they'd have to pay for home delivery otherwise. We learned the importance of socialization during Covid. Jennifer Y. 3/22/22 post: Bigger flat screen TVs in the Aerobics Room and in the Fireside Parlor. Those bigger rooms warrant a bigger TV. Those smaller ones currently there can find a new home, maybe in Health Care, an employee break room, Craft Room, or the Activities Room. Jennifer Y. 3/17/22 post: At least one conference room for resident meetings, with a capacity of 20 attendees. Another one for smaller groups would also be nice. Jennifer Y. 2/22/22 post: I know a dog park is on the wish list, however we’d suggest a location accessible but a bit out of sight and sound for those residents who might object to occasional barking. There is one spot which might meet the above criteria: as one enters the pedestrian gate from the employee parking lot into the area behind the kitchen wall going toward the pond, there’s a fairly large grassy and treed space between the path and the Edgewood Ave fence , which could be enclosed and secured, (perhaps as large as 30 x 40 feet in size). The spot is pretty far from the apartments and would not be utilizing any land area for any likely TVAB expansion. Barry C. and Bob T. 2/19/22 post: A study of charging stations for electric vehicles. Dave M.
2/18/22 post: Freight elevator for apartment building; dog park; bicycle and golf bag storage; recreational equipment parking storage (kayaks, campers, boats, canoes, motorcycles, etc.) -- this area can carry a modest monthly fee for residents and available open spaces can be offered to employees via a "drawing" or seniority, knowing they could be bumped if space needed for residents. This would be a non-taxable perq of employment here, maybe helping employee retention; more storage for community holiday decorations; larger woodworking shop; lock-up of liquor in the Bistro, allowing casual resident use when bar staff not available for "group" watching of sports or special TV programs; a dance floor so that we don't have to dance on carpet at parties -- maybe good fold-up, removable ones are out there; columbarium; a golf cart parking pad at the brick wall between Lakeside dining and the pedestrian gate going to the employee parking lot so that golf carts wouldn't have to take up valuable parking spaces meant for automobiles at the Village Square. New independent living near our front gate might mean more golf carts. More to come when ideas occur to me. Please submit your own ideas for adding to this "Wish List." Of course, not all will be possible or feasible, but at least ideas can be shared. Join the fun. Jennifer Y.