sagewood-fall-winter 2012

ANATURALCHOICEREALLIVING

ACTIVE, HEALTHYLIFESTYLERESORT-STYLE AMENITIES

COMMUNITYLIVING

SagewoodresidentsNick & Sue Rogers

FALL/WINTER 2012

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING

« »Real people, real stories

BON VOYAGE !Nick and Sue Rogers are some ofSagewood’s finest ambassadors, butthe truth is that this touring twosomeis only in the Valley of the Sun forabout half the year. The other halffinds them traveling the globe andtaking, for example, a riverboat cruisethroughHolland and Belgium likethey did earlier this year to see theregion’s famed tulips.Not only do they engage in

independent travel to far-flung placesthat intrigue them, butNick–a partiallyretiredMayoClinic dermatologistand a nationally and internationallyrecognized speaker–also teaches continuingmedical anddental education courses aboard cruise ships. This year’sitinerary included two voyages to Alaska, one to BalticEurope, another to theMexicanRiviera and one toTahiti.Lest anyone get thewrong impression, Sue good-naturedly

points out that accommodations afforded to travelingeducators are not exactly sumptuous. “WE’RE IN THECHEAPEST CABINS — WE’RE ONE UP FROM STEERAGE,”she quips, adding, “YOU HAVE TO TAKE TURNS DRESSING!”Thanks to Sagewood, though, the couple’s lock-and-

leave routine is a breeze. And they get great peace of mindknowing that, while they’re away, everything back at homeis taken care of and as it should be.

“EVERYTHING’S WATCHED, THE CAR’S SAFE IN THE GARAGE,”Nick says, noting that even coming home after a long tripis a pleasure. “WE CALL SAGEWOOD AND ASK THEM TO ADJUSTTHE THERMOSTAT AND COOL THE PLACE OFF, HAVE THE BAGSDELIVERED TO THE ROTUNDA AREA AND WE CAN EITHER HEADOFF TO A MEAL IN TOWN OR EAT GREAT FOOD RIGHT THERE.”So, while they do consider Thailand, with its lush beauty

and gracious inhabitants, as their favorite travel destination,the Rogers agree they’ve found their own little paradise —

one that’s “LIKE LIVING AT THERITZ-CARLTON,”Sue says — righton the border of Scottsdaleand Phoenix.

“IT MAKES THE PERFECT TURNKEY FOR US,” she says.“IT’S VERY LIBERATING.”

DYNAM IC DUOYou’d behardpressed tofindanother couple living amoreactive life thanRichardTucker andCherylKirk, the two thattruly takeSagewood’s “healthy living” approach toheart.Married since 1984, after meeting on the job, they are up

early most mornings and out the door shortly thereafter.He heads to Sagewood’s fitness center for twomiles on thetreadmill, typically six times a week, and often follows hiscardio with a weight routine. In themeantime, she headsoutside to do a 3.5-mile combination of walk-and-runintervals around the well-maintained grounds.

“I FIND IT BURNS MORE CALORIES THAN JUST DOING ASLOW JOG,” says Kirk, who’s been running for more thanfour decades, has run seven full marathons and is currentlythe second-youngest Sagewood resident.On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the couple often meet

up for a yoga class. Although she’s been practicing for30 years, Tucker is new to the activity, but cheekily sayshe figured he could “WIN SOME POINTS” with his wife forat least participating.

That schedule alonemight be exhausting for most folks,but Tucker and Kirk don’t stop there. Depending on the day,Kirkmight take in a balance, strength or Tai Chi class onthe premises, meet with workout buddies from her previousFountainHills neighborhood or head to her volunteerposition atMayo Clinic in Scottsdale. In addition, the coupleplays bridge and serves on several committees, includingfitness, finance and buildings and grounds. Theymovedto Sagewood in 2010, but they’d actually researched thecommunity for years, “WELL BEFORE THE PLACE WAS UNDERCONSTRUCTION,” he says.The community has lived up to all their expectations,

if not exceeded them, and not just because of the healthyliving aspect. Tucker says Sagewood’s social environment isnurturing and supportive, just like the best neighborhoodsalways are.

“PEOPLE LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER,” he says.

A L I FE IN P I CTURESIt was decades ago, in the ‘50s, when Phil Douglisdiscovered he had a gift.

“MY REAL PASSION AS A KID WAS MAKING PICTURES,”herecalls, relaxing amidst the books in Sagewood’s library.“I FOUND I COULD ARTICULATE CONCEPTS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS,AND I FOUND I COULD ARTICULATE CONTENT. AND IT OCCURREDTO ME I WOULD MAKE A VERY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY TEACHER.”Douglis would go on to do just that, mostly holding

Reinvent your retirementResidents embrace active lifestyle, healthy interests, new neighbors

STOR I E S BY G R EMLYN BR AD L EY-WADDE L L

GETT ING ORGAN I ZED …WITH SAND I PEATT I E

WhenEarl andNancyVender first beganconsidering amove to Sagewood, they’dnevermet Sandi Peattie. Now they consider

the Scottsdale-based professional organizer a true friend,someonewho’s positively impacted their lives.“Early on, Sandi came to our home, evaluated it, drew

up a floor plan and put down tape to showwhich sofawould go where,” he says. “She did a fabulous job ofhelping us organize everything.”TheVenders estimate they downsized by 65 percent,

going from a 3,000 square-foot home (which sold in animpressive twoweeks in adown economy) to a1,200 square-foot apartment.And although partingwithpossessionswasn’t alwayseasy, NancyVender saysSandi was patient and kind,evenwhile theywere “gettingboxes down from the garagethat had never been opened.”In the end, theVenders

couldn’t havebeenmorepleased and are comfortable in their newhome. Sandi’sservices, offered throughher companyLivingbyDesign,are just one convenienceSagewoodprovides tonewresidents through itsResidentFirst™MovingAdvantageProgram,whichhelps take theworry and stress outofmoving.“I love what I do, and lately, I’ve been specializing in

helping seniors,” Sandi says. “Moving ‘up’ is easy, butdownsizing is a challenge, emotionally and physically,so helping them is very rewarding.”For anyone needing to downsize, or preparing for a

move, she offers these tips:• Have a plan. Create a step-by-step plan of whichfurniture, clothing and books you want to keep.

• Part with it. Yes, there are lamps, slacks andtchotchkes that don’t need tomake themove.Consign, sell or donate them, Peattie advises.

• Update when possible. Get color slides and old-school tapes digitized. They’ll take up less space.

• Enlist help. Find someone to help and offer supportonmoving day.

Ensconced in a stunning Sonoran setting,Sagewood retirement community truly offersactive seniors the best things in life: comfortable

and refined resort-style living and top-notch, qualityhealth care services. Of course, that’s not all this award-winning community offers. Sagewood also gives residentsthe unique opportunity to start a new chapter in theirlives and reinvent themselves while surrounded byothers who embrace an active and healthy lifestyle, bothof which are complemented by ample social and fitnesschoices and nutritious, restaurant-quality meals at thecommunity’s two dining venues.

ACT IVE L I V INGSagewood resident, longtime runner and yoga enthusiastCheryl Kirk sees new residents blossom all the time,often when she runs into themwhile they are trying outa National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) classfor the first time at the fitness center. Formany, it’s thefirst time in a long time they’ve had a chance to focus onthemselves, she says. “Maybe they didn’t have time toexercise (earlier in their lives) because of work, or theywere intimidated by a gym setting, and now they suddenlyfind themselves going to classes,” Kirk, 62, says, adding,“There’s something for everyone here.”

SO MUCH TO DOIndeed, there are classes and activities geared to justabout every interest and activity level, fromwateraerobics andWii™ bowling to Tai Chi and travel groupsthat head to California’s beautiful beaches and wineries.TheMusical InstrumentMuseum, located within walkingdistance, is not only a wonderful place to visit, but alsoprovides amyriad of volunteer opportunities. Residentsalso participate in investment clubs, attend a wide varietyof cultural events, enjoy watching big games together inthe full-service Ironwood Lounge and bond overmealsduring ladies’ and gents’ luncheons.“One of the things that has surprisedmemost is all

the interesting people here,” says Richard Tucker, Kirk’shusband. “We get to regularly meet somany new peopleand they are all interesting.”

communicationsmanager jobs in corporate America— “I FOUND BEING A MANAGER IS ACTUALLY BEINGA TEACHER; YOU LEAD AND YOU INSTRUCT,” he says–and, in 1964, starting amagazine column that is stillpublished today. In the early 1970s, he launched hisown company, giving photography workshops tomorethan 10,000 people over the next four decades and laterbranching out to offer more personalized instruction.Although he retired at 65, Douglis has done just about

everything but slow down. Around ninemonths ago, heand his wife, Liz, moved to Sagewood from their home inPhoenix because while he says he is by nomeans in needof health care yet, at his age, “IF YOU GO UP ON A LADDER,YOU’RE ASKING FOR IT.”He now stays busy running two photo-sharing

websites, has self-published a book and generously offerspresentations of his many trips, which this year includedCuba and the Galapagos Islands, to his neighbors.

“WHAT I DO NOW IS GIVE BACK BECAUSE PHOTOGRAPHYHAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH,” he says.And give back, he does. At a recent showing of his

Galapagos expedition, Douglis swept his audience awaywith charming photos of a lounging sea lion and jubilantlycolored Sally Lightfoot crabs as well as a pensive portrait ofhis ship’s guide. A talented orator, Douglis and his colorfulnarration led at least one attendee to comment, “HE’S ASGOOD A SPEAKER AS HE IS A PHOTOGRAPHER.”

Active Sagewood residents:Below left: Nick & Sue RogersMiddle: Richard Tucker & Cheryl KirkBelow: Phil Douglis

Sandi Peattie