The Heritage at Green Hills, a premier senior living community in Cumru Township, Berks County, is home to many artists, art collectors and art appreciators.
Among their ranks are Ellen and Paul Laincz, two lifelong professional artists who contribute to the community in many ways.
Choosing The Heritage
Paul and Ellen moved to The Heritage in July 2011, after careful consideration.
“We had seen some sorry results with not planning ahead,” Ellen explained. “We made sure that wasn’t going to happen to us.”
They began searching for a place that would offer them a rich, fulfilling life without the constraints of traditional retirement communities.
The Heritage, with its accommodating, resident-focused philosophy, was the perfect fit.
Flexibility to create a private studio
Having met at art school in Massachusetts — an exciting time that Paul describes as one of the best periods of their lives — and having enjoyed fulfilling artistic careers, the Lainczes adapted their home at The Heritage to suit their continuing creative journeys.
“We live in a two-bedroom home and use the second bedroom as a shared artists’ studio,” Paul said.
A professional costume maker, Ellen has designed and sewn thousands of costumes for dancers. Though she is mostly retired, previous clients still call on Ellen occasionally to create new pieces.
Their home studio has the necessary sewing equipment and materials — and their shared drawing table can be moved to create a mirrored space for fittings and consultations.
“They have room to try things on and twirl,” she said.
Paul uses the studio for painting and photography. After three decades as a professor of photography at Kutztown University, he can now be found out and about on The Heritage campus most days, camera in hand, capturing all the big events and little moments that make the community such a special place to live.
Paul’s candid photography of life at The Heritage is often used on the community’s social media pages and is featured in the local newspapers several times a year, as well. His most recent gig was covering The Heritage’s Summer Olympics.
Décor and art committee
One of Ellen’s most notable contributions to The Heritage is her work as the leader of the Décor Committee and in curating the art that adorns the walls of The Heritage.
“Décor includes the design of the chairs in the dining room, choosing the carpeting in the hallways and anything else that enhances the aesthetic appeal of our home,” she said. “We have art on the walls throughout the building, as well a very popular dedicated art gallery that features work from both resident and local artists — we’re always on the lookout for outside artists to feature.”
The gallery changes its exhibits regularly, ensuring that there is always something new to see and appreciate.
“And we have many other spaces to feature resident creations and pieces from resident collections, too,” she said. “Every year new people come to live here and they bring their favorite, best artworks. Residents have been very generous in loaning out these pieces to the Committee so the entire community can enjoy them as they come into the lobby, or visit the library, or walk the halls. There’s wonderful art everywhere — I’m the unofficial curator for about 1,200 pieces.”
Bringing art to the Care Center
An effort to create a new art gallery in the Care Center at The Heritage was initiated by artist Joanne Just, who recently moved into the community’s assisted living neighborhood.
“Joanne was on the Décor Committee for many years and was integral in creating the first gallery at the Heritage,” Ellen said. “And now she’s making sure that residents of the Care Center can enjoy the same variety that we have in independent living.”
The Care Center is now celebrating its second anniversary.
“The art that was installed when the Center opened included many beautiful pieces and was appreciated by the residents, but after two years it was time for a change,” Ellen said. “It can be a little boring to look at the same art every day. We’re starting with some of the art that the Care Center residents brought with them from independent living.”
This approach ensures that the new gallery feels familiar and comforting while also providing fresh visual stimulation.
“We want it to feel like home,” she said.
A late-blooming skater
In addition to contributing to The Heritage’s visually appealing environment, Ellen is a walking testament to the community’s young-at-heart attitude, commitment to lifelong learning and wellness-focused lifestyle.
“I loved to skate in rinks and on lakes as a kid, but I never had the opportunity to take lessons,” she said. “Much later, after I was receiving Social Security, I took my grandchildren to the rink and I had such a good time that I went back on my own the next day.
“I signed up for lessons, and it was me and 70 little kids, but the instructor was great and I ended up skating twice a week for many years. I’m no longer able to skate regularly, but I still like to practice the moves in The Heritage’s pool often.”
Ellen also practices yoga and is an avid belly dancer, leading residents’ practice sessions in between The Heritage’s regularly scheduled belly dancing classes.
A life full of purpose and possibility
Ellen and Paul’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of staying active, engaged and creative, no matter what stage of life one is in.
“We’ve never had a single day in all these years that we’ve regretted our decision to move here,” Ellen said.
Their experience at The Heritage shows what a vibrant, fulfilling life can be created in a community that values its residents’ contributions and encourages them to continue pursuing their passions.
The Heritage of Green Hills is home to many interesting people with fascinating hobbies and passions. Whether you love gardening, painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, pottery, games, reading, fitness, woodworking, model trains, tai chi, swimming, dancing or yoga, there’s a place for you — and new groups, classes, and clubs are forming all the time.
To learn more about ways you can continue your favorite pastimes at The Heritage of Green Hills, visit https://heritageofgreenhills.com.
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